Mosquitoes are an inevitable part of life outdoors. While most species do not transmit disease to humans, there are a few found in The Woodlands who carry West Nile virus. Here’s what you need to know to prevent bites and protect your health.
Avoid Peak Feeding Hours
You might feel like the main course at times, but the southern house mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus) – the primary vector for West Nile virus in Texas – would rather feast on birds than people. Culex mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk when birds are roosting, but if you’re outside while they’re outside, consider yourself dessert.
Here are some changes you can make to your daily routine to avoid mosquito madness:
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Walk the dog before dinner instead of after dark
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Go for a run after the sun has risen
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Take a tee time between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Putting it into action: Marissa likes walking her dog before sunrise when the air is cooler. However, with the increase in West Nile virus activity in the morning, she started answering emails until 8 a.m., and then she hits the trail. Sure, it’s a little sweatier, but the peace of mind is worth it.
"I walk my dog a little later in the morning after the sun comes up. "– Marissa
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Fight Back with an Oscillating Fan
A fan that blows air horizontally creates a current too stiff for mosquitoes to handle; their flight speed maxes out at two miles per hour (a gentle breeze is about ten mph). The wider the fan oscillates, the greater the area you can keep mosquito-free. Overhead fans are nice, but they are not as effective. For more complete coverage, add a second oscillating fan to your outdoor space.
Best application: Use outdoors for activities occurring in one spot, such as grilling, reading, or lounging on a blanket with the kids.
Putting it into action: Neighbors Neil and Susan read how to mosquito-proof the patio and liked the simple solution of an oscillating fan for their grilling competition. Susan had a fan in the garage that fit the bill. Neil decided to augment his overhead fan with a floor fan. Now, let the competition begin!
"I use an oscillating fan when I'm outside grilling."– Neil
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Try Out Cloaking Spray
It can’t be said enough – wear repellent! Now is the time to make repellant application a regular part of your outdoor routine. If you think they all stink, are full of chemicals, or just plain don’t work, think again! We explore the four EPA-approved main ingredients to help you find the repellent that works for you. For those with wee ones, see this parent's guide to repellent.
Best application: Wear repellent any time you’re out and moving, especially during peak feeding times. Don’t forget to apply when watering the veggies in the evening, walking the dog before work, or picnicking in the park for dinner.
Wear a light-colored, long-sleeved shirt and long pants to cut down on your exposure to bites and reduce the amount of repellent you need.
Putting it into action: Sebastian likes to work off the day’s stress at the park after dinner, but he’s noticed this is a peak time for mosquitoes. After some trial and error, he found that IR3535 works best for him. It isn’t greasy and has no odor. Now, he makes sure to keep a bottle in his car so it’s right there when he needs it.
"I always have a can of mosquito repellent in my car. IR3535 is my go-to. "– Sebastian
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The options are endless – what three things can you do today to reduce your chance of being bitten? Here are some ideas:
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Leave a can of repellent by your front door to use before walks
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Try a new repellent with an active ingredient that works for you
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Wear a long-sleeved shirt when gardening
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Wear long pants on walks
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Move the floor fan from the spare room to the patio
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Water the garden with a sprinkler on a timer instead of standing outside with the hose
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Change the timing of your dog’s walk
The best protection against West Nile virus is to avoid mosquito bites. To make sure you aren’t breeding your own mosquitoes, find a handy checklist and plentiful resources here.
To report a mosquito concern, contact the Environmental Services Department at enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov or 281-210-3800.