The summer months in Texas are a time for outdoor fun, but they also mean mosquito season. Nothing can ruin an outdoor gathering faster than a swarm of pesky mosquitoes buzzing around.
But how long does mosquito season last in Texas and what factors affect their population and activity levels? Let’s take a look at what you can do to get rid of mosquitoes and stop them from biting you.
When Is Mosquito Season in Texas?
Mosquitoes are present in Texas year-round, but they are the most abundant and active from May to November.
During this time, warm temperatures and high humidity create ideal conditions for mosquitoes to breed, lay eggs, and grow into adult mosquitoes.
That said, since Texas has such a humid climate, depending on the year, Texas mosquito season can last even longer than many other states in the US.
So, during this time, you may want to take additional precautions to reduce exposure to mosquitoes.
Factors Affecting Population and Activity Levels of Mosquitoes in Texas
The mosquito population and activity levels in Texas can be affected by a number of factors.
Humidity
Mosquitoes thrive in humid, wet environments, and female mosquitoes can lay up to 200 eggs at a time. These eggs require just a tablespoon of water to hatch into larvae which then grow into adult mosquitoes in just a few days.
In Texas, the humidity level can range from dry and comfortable to oppressively high. The highest levels of humidity occur during the hot summer months so it’s no wonder those are the months mosquitoes run rampant.
Temperature
Texas is known for its hot and humid climate, with temperatures often reaching the high 90s during the summer months. In some regions, like the Rio Grande Valley, summer temperatures can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
The climate is also affected by its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico which brings warm, moist air that can cause periods of extended rain during summer months – another perfect condition for mosquitoes.
Rainfall
The average annual rainfall in Texas varies greatly depending on location and can range from 12-40 inches per year.
Areas near the Gulf Coast in Texas, particularly the eastern and southeastern parts, typically receive more rainfall than inland areas, especially during the summer months.
Meanwhile, in North Texas rainfall tends to be higher during the spring months and lower during the autumn months so that part of the state may see fewer mosquitoes during peak mosquito season.
Availability of standing water and stagnant water
It’s also important to remember that even when there’s no rain falling from the sky, any standing or stagnant water can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests.
That’s why it’s essential to regularly inspect your home for sources of standing water and drain any containers that could collect water.
Common Species of Mosquitoes Found in Texas
There are over 80 species of mosquitoes found in Texas. And although the species of mosquitoes that inhabit Texas vary by region, there are some common species found throughout the state.
A few of the most common include:
- Asian Tiger Mosquito – Aedes albopictus – A particularly aggressive species that is out to get you all day, and all year long and are carriers of West Nile, Chikungunya, Zika, Dengue fever, and yellow fever.
- Inland Floodwater Mosquito – Aedes vexans – Visibly large mosquitoes that are commonly found after heavy rains. The good news is they are not carriers of any serious diseases.
- Southern House Mosquito – Culex quinquefasciatus – Another carrier of West Nile and Zika, this particular mosquito usually only comes out in the evening and at night.
- Yellow Fever Mosquito – Aedes aegyptii – As their name suggests, they carry Yellow fever, but Zika, Chikungunya, and Dengue as well.
Mosquito-Borne Diseases in Texas
Mosquito bites in Texas are more than a nuisance; they can potentially contract viruses when they bite an infected animal, bird, or human, and pass on the infection to others when they bite them. Mosquito-borne diseases can result in birth defects and even be fatal.
Different species of mosquitoes have been found to carry different diseases and the most common mosquito-borne diseases found in Texas are the West Nile and Zika viruses, but also include dengue fever, Chikungunya, and St. Louis Encephalitis, among others.
West Nile is transmitted from birds to humans and gives infected humans flu-like symptoms. The older population is at a higher risk for developing neurological complications from the virus.
Zika is a virus that may cause birth defects in unborn fetuses so pregnant women are the ones who should be especially careful of contracting it.
City health departments throughout Texas monitor the mosquito population and test for mosquito-borne viruses during peak season, but it’s important to take measures to protect yourself from these viruses during mosquito season in Texas.
How to Fight the Bite
Ultimately, protecting yourself and your family from mosquito-borne illnesses and the pesky, itchy, skin irritations boil down to two things:
- Preventing mosquito breeding
- Preventing mosquito bites
Minimizing the number of mosquitoes around your property
Remember that female mosquitoes can lay hundreds of eggs at a time in even just a tablespoon of water, so stopping this at the source is step one in helping control the mosquito population during peak mosquito season in Texas.
So, one of the most important things to do is to remove any standing water around your home. Be sure to regularly empty and clean out containers such as:
- Bird baths
- Plant saucers
- Buckets
- Clogged gutters
- Old tires
- Any other area that may have collected water
Additionally, keep all your pipes and faucets around your house in good working condition and repair them at the first sight of a leak to avoid dripping water.
If you have a pool or pond on your property, consider adding a treatment to the water to kill mosquito larvae before they hatch.
How to keep mosquitoes from biting you
To protect yourself from mosquito bites while outdoors in Texas, we recommend you wear insect repellent with DEET or another EPA-registered insect repellant.
Also, cover up with long sleeves and pants, and wear light colors such as khaki or pastel colors. It’s best to avoid dark colors when outside as they’re more likely to attract mosquitoes.
Additionally, if possible, avoid being outdoors during times when mosquitoes are most active – typically dusk and dawn. If you have an outdoor patio or deck, you might consider installing a screened-in enclosure so you can enjoy your outside space without worrying about potential mosquito bites.
Finally, focus on keeping mosquitoes out of your house by keeping your doors closed, and your window screens in top shape. You can even set up fans blowing out so it’s more difficult for them to enter your home.
Repelling power of plants
There are a wide variety of plants that can also be used to help repel mosquitoes from your property, and most of them are abundant in Texas.
- Citronella: Perhaps the most well-known mosquito repellent plant. It contains a substance called citronellal which helps keep bugs at bay.
- Lavender: Produces a strong scent that deters insects while also looking beautiful in any garden or landscape.
- Marigolds: Keep mosquitoes away due to their pungent smell.
- Basil: Its leaves contain an oil that acts as a natural insect repellent. Plus, you can easily grow it in pots indoors or outdoors and use the leaves to make homemade pesto!
It’s worth noting that these plants won’t completely eliminate all mosquitoes from your property, but they will certainly help reduce their numbers.
When to Call a Professional
As mosquito season approaches in Texas, it’s important to take preventative measures to avoid a mosquito infestation and protect yourself and your loved ones from the discomfort and potential health risks of mosquito bites.
Mosquitoes have a tendency to breed quickly and become a major annoyance fast, but with the right precautions, you can minimize their numbers and enjoy your outdoor surroundings once again.
Don’t wait until the problem gets out of control – contact us here at Rhodes Home Service to find out how you can stay ahead of the mosquitoes. Our mosquito treatment includes a full yard fogging, including bushes and trees, which includes an insect growth regulator (IGR) to interrupt the reproductive process of mosquitoes.
Don’t let mosquitoes ruin your summer fun. Enroll now and start enjoying the benefits today. Plus, if you sign up for 5 months of mosquito treatment, you get the 6th month free!
