Are you one of the Americans wondering how much longer mosquito season will last? Mosquito season starts in April and does not end until October. Here in Texas we are a natural draw for mosquitoes due to our high temperatures. There are six Texas cities on the list of Top 50 Mosquitoes Cities List. Our beloved San Antonia is ranked #37 on that list.
Mosquito Borne Diseases Statistics
The 2018 mosquito season has hit Texas hard. Many news reports have highlighted this topic. There has been a steady increase in mosquito-borne diseases in Texas. From 2004 and 2016 illnesses from mosquito, tick, and flea bites have tripled in the United States. It is also reported that since 2004 nine vector-borne diseases were discovered or introduced in the United States for the first time. The West Nile, Chikungunya, and Zika viruses are among the top diseases that have led to these numbers increasing. In Texas alone there were 6,648 mosquito-borne disease cases between 2004 and 2016. Texas was ranked in the top twenty percent of states with the highest cases of mosquito borne-diseases.
West Nile Virus Cases in Texas
In the state of Texas there are about 85 different species of mosquitoes. The mosquitoes in Texas do not typically carry the Zika virus. The Culex mosquito is a larger concern in Texas. The Culex mosquito transmits the West Nile virus. Symptoms of the West Nile virus include mild headache, high fever, tremors, and disorientation. A few cases have led to potentially life-threatening inflammation of the brain or spinal cord. Many people have such mild symptoms that they do not even know they are infected. It is estimated that between thirty to forty percent of people with the infection do not even know that they have it.
How TX Cities Deal with Mosquitoes
If the city that you live in has high numbers of mosquitoes your city will have a department that is actively working on how to best control and contain the problem. Bastrop begins sending trucks throughout the city in mid-April that spray for mosquitoes twice a week. Many cities will put EPA-approved tablets into standing water to kill mosquito larvae. Other cities use a trapping and testing program to collect data on what viruses are in the mosquitoes in their area. Knowing what kind of viruses you are dealing with helps them more accurately take preventative measures.
How to Avoid Mosquito Bites
To prevent mosquitoes from biting you excessively there are some simple tips. When you go outside use insect repellent, wear long sleeves at dawn and dusk, putting screens on your doors, turning on your air conditioner, and draining any stagnant water all will help keep mosquitoes from biting you. Many people make sure that they always light a citronella candle and put it near them when they sit outside during mosquito season.
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If you have tried all of the tips mentioned above and are still struggling to get rid of the mosquitoes around your home, it is time to call in the professionals. A Five Star Termite and Pest Control has solutions that our pest control technicians can use that are proven to help with your mosquito problem.
