THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS (July 1, 2015) –Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) has confirmed that a sample of mosquitoes from a surveillance site in The Woodlands Township/South Montgomery County area has tested positive for West Nile Virus. No reports of human illness in Montgomery County have been filed with TDSHS at this time.
In response, The Woodlands Township/Montgomery County Mosquito Abatement team launched the action protocol recommended by TDSHS that includes larviciding, spraying of select storm drains and targeted street spraying. Additional surveillance will also be conducted.
Recent heavy rains have produced waves of nuisance, flood-plain mosquitoes, according to Township Environmental Services Manager Lynne Aldrich. “These daytime biters do not carry disease. Our current concern is for the nighttime biters, Culex quinquefaciatus, that breed in stagnant water and can carry West Nile virus,” she said.
Residents can decrease the number of mosquitoes on their property by monitoring and eliminating all sources of standing water. French drains, water meter boxes, bird baths and plant saucers hold water and can become breeding sites. Remove debris and dump any container that holds water. Treat standing water that cannot be drained with a biological larvacide, such as mosquito dunks and mosquito bits. These products are available at local hardware and home improvement stores.
Ms. Aldrich also suggests holding off from irrigating lawns following heavy rain. “Landscapes require no more than an inch of water a week, including rainfall. It is better for your lawn and controls run-off that contributes to standing water,” she notes.
More information about selecting a repellent and eliminating breeding sites is available on the Township web site at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/mosquitoinfo. To schedule a presentation about reducing mosquitoes for your neighborhood or group, please call The Woodlands Township Environmental Services office at 281-210-3800.
Photo by Lynne Aldrich- Everyone is urged to protect themselves and family from mosquito bites. Limit outdoor activity from dusk to dawn when disease-carrying mosquitoes are most active. If you must be outside, wear long, loose, light-colored clothing and use a repellent.