Mosquito Control
Surveillance and Spraying
The Woodlands Township, Montgomery County Precinct 3 and Harris County Mosquito Control District conduct trapping and surveillance of mosquitoes for disease. Surveillance in our area has identified almost 50 different species in The Woodlands to date. The Aedes albopictus, carrier of Zika, and Culex quinquefasciatus, carrier of West Nile Virus, currently pose the greatest human health concern.
The Woodlands Township provides ongoing surveillance and public education. When disease is identified in the mosquito population or a human case is reported, additional action is taken, in accordance with the principles of Integrated Mosquito Management. Harris County Mosquito Control District and South Montgomery County Mosquito Abatement apply biological controls and/or chemical treatments according to their respective program protocols.
The Woodlands Township, Montgomery County Precinct 3 and Harris County Mosquito Control District conduct trapping and surveillance of mosquitoes for disease. Surveillance in our area has identified almost 50 different species in The Woodlands to date. The Aedes albopictus, carrier of Zika, and Culex quinquefasciatus, carrier of West Nile Virus, currently pose the greatest human health concern.
The Woodlands Township provides ongoing surveillance and public education. When disease is identified in the mosquito population or a human case is reported, additional action is taken, in accordance with the principles of Integrated Mosquito Management. Harris County Mosquito Control District and South Montgomery County Mosquito Abatement apply biological controls and/or chemical treatments according to their respective program protocols.
Mosquito Activity and Response by County
- Villages of Alden Bridge, Cochran's Crossing, College Park, Grogan's Mill, Indian Springs, Panther Creek and Sterling Ridge
- Village of Creekside Park
Integrated Mosquito Management Program
The step-by-step approach endorsed by Centers for Disease Control, Texas Department of State Health Services and Texas Mosquito Control Association employs:
The step-by-step approach endorsed by Centers for Disease Control, Texas Department of State Health Services and Texas Mosquito Control Association employs:
- Surveillance by sampling—trapping and testing mosquitoes for disease.
- Reduction of mosquito breeding sites.
- Biological controls.
- Chemical treatment when disease is present
- Public education to advise of personal protective measures.
What You Can Do
Mosquito control must be a shared responsibility in order for abatement to be successful. Mosquitoes do not fly far from their breeding sites so simple actions taken around your home will do much to reduce their numbers and keep your family safe.
Mosquito control must be a shared responsibility in order for abatement to be successful. Mosquitoes do not fly far from their breeding sites so simple actions taken around your home will do much to reduce their numbers and keep your family safe.
- Regularly drain items that hold standing water including buckets, tarps, tires, plant pots, clogged gutters, birdbaths, trash and debris, toys, etc.
- Treat standing water that cannot be eliminated with Mosquito Dunks© or Mosquito Bits©. These items are non-toxic, inexpensive and available at your local home-and-garden store.
- Do not over water your lawn. Lawns in our region require no more than one inch of water per week, including rainfall. Over watering creates breeding sites in low areas and in nearby storm drains.
- Keep grass clippings, leaves and yard debris off the street and out of storm drains.
- Properly maintain pools, spas and pumps.
- Avoid being outside between dusk and dawn when disease-carrying mosquitoes are most active.
- Use repellent. DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and some oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol products provide longer-lasting protection. Follow label instructions to optimize safety and effectiveness.
- Wear long, loose, light-colored clothing.
- Use floor fans to keep air moving across porches, decks, and gazebos.
- Repair leaky butane and propane tanks on gas grills.
Mosquito Resources
- Zika—Centers for Disease Control
- West Nile Virus—Texas Department of State Health Services
- Guide to Reducing Mosquito Breeding Sites
- Just for Kids: Join the Skeeter Patrol
- Mosquito Control Methods to Reduce the Spread of Disease – Texas A&M University
- Misting Systems—American Mosquito Control Association
- Repellents: Protection against Mosquitoes, Ticks and Other Arthropods - EPA
- A Parent's Guide to Insect Repellent - California Department of Public Health
More Information
For more information about mosquito abatement; to report a problem area; or to request surveillance, call the Environmental Services Department at 281-210-3800.
For more information about mosquito abatement; to report a problem area; or to request surveillance, call the Environmental Services Department at 281-210-3800.