Mosquito Season Is Worse This Year. Here’s How to Stay Safe.

Summer in Houston is a bit of a trade-off. You finally have long evenings and more time to be outside. The downside is that you have to share it with mosquitoes. And this year, those tiny pests are showing up in bigger numbers than usual. They also tend to stick around into the fall, so this is not a problem that fades after Labor Day.

Mosquito activity is up across the whole region. Harris County has found West Nile virus in mosquitoes across more than a dozen areas, with positive samples jumping from 3 last year to 20 this year. Fort Bend County saw such a spike that officials declared a public health emergency and began aerial spraying. Cities like Rosenberg are running citywide spraying programs twice a week. Hotspots have popped up everywhere from The Woodlands to Sugar Land.

Wherever you live, though, the steps to protect your family are the same, and most of them take only a few minutes.

Why are there so many mosquitoes right now?

It comes down to water. Mosquitoes need standing water to breed, and weeks of rain leave plenty of it behind. Pair that with a mild winter and our usual heat and humidity, and you get a population boom.

Texas A&M entomologist Sonja Swiger told Chron that numbers are up for both nuisance mosquitoes and the kind that spread disease. Our warmth, rainfall, standing water, and closeness to the Gulf Coast make this one of the best places in the country to be a mosquito.

What is the real health risk?

Most bites are just itchy and annoying. The concern is that a small share of mosquitoes carry illness. In Texas, the biggest worry is West Nile virus, and Harris County already confirmed a serious human case back in May. Other illnesses like dengue, Zika, and chikungunya tend to show up in people who picked them up while traveling abroad. St. Louis encephalitis is another illness spread by local mosquitoes, though it is rare.

The Texas Medical Association stresses that the basics matter all year, not just in summer. Most West Nile infections cause mild or no symptoms, but it helps to know the warning signs. Watch for fever, headache, body aches, and fatigue, and reach out to your doctor if symptoms feel severe or will not go away.

How can I protect my home?

Start in your own yard, since that is where many mosquitoes are born. Walk your property once a week and dump out anything holding water. Common culprits include flowerpot saucers, kiddie pools, pet bowls, clogged gutters, and toys left out in the rain.

Here’s a quick checklist:

• Empty and scrub containers that collect water instead of just tipping them over
• Change the water in birdbaths and pet dishes every few days
• Clear gutters and drains so water keeps moving
• Cover rain barrels and repair torn window or door screens

Spraying programs help, but officials are clear that they work best when residents handle the breeding spots at home.

What is the best way to protect my body?

When you head outside, repellent is your friend. Look for an EPA-registered product with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535, and follow the label for how often to reapply.

Legacy Clinical Pharmacy Specialist Katie Wang points out that a higher concentration lasts longer rather than working more strongly. A product with about 30% DEET protects for roughly five hours, while lower amounts wear off sooner, and anything above 50% does not add extra time.

She also cautions against products marketed as natural, like citronella, cedar, or peppermint oil, since the EPA has not confirmed they actually keep mosquitoes away. Loose, long sleeves and pants add another layer, especially around dawn and dusk when mosquitoes bite the most.

Health officials across the area sum it up with the four Ds.

• Dusk and dawn are peak biting hours, so plan around them
• Drain any standing water
• Dress in long sleeves and pants
• Defend your skin with repellent

Can I get repellent for free?

If you have Medicaid or Healthy Texas Women coverage, you can pick up one bottle of mosquito repellent each month at no cost through Legacy Pharmacy Sharpstown. Our pharmacists will match the right product to your age and needs, so just ask at your next visit. Patients with CHIP may pay a small copay or less.

When should I talk to a doctor?

Most bites clear up on their own. Still, reach out if you develop a high fever, stiff neck, confusion, or weakness after being bitten, since those can signal a more serious infection. Older adults, young children, and anyone with a weakened immune system should be watched more closely.

Mosquitoes are part of summer in Houston, but they do not have to run it. Small, steady habits keep you and your family protected. At Legacy, Health Beyond Care means supporting your whole family, in the clinic and at home. If you have questions or need to be seen, schedule an appointment or call us at (832) 548-5000. We’re here year-round whenever you need us.

Sources: Chron | KHOU | CW39 | Texas Medical Association | Legacy Pharmacy RxTimes