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Mosquito Relief For Central Texas Still Months Away

Updated: Friday, September 7 2012, 12:56 PM CDT

As West Nile Virus continues to spread across Texas, so do concerns over when mosquito season will come to an end. Unfortunately, the cooler temperatures needed to stop mosquitoes from breeding and biting, sometimes arrives late in Central Texas. 

According to entomologists, the Southern House Mosquito is the main vector for West Nile in our area, meaning it is the one primarily responsible for spreading the virus.  Until water and air temperatures reach 60 degrees, we may continue to battle mosquitoes. When standing water reaches that temperature, it will prevent most mosquitoes from breeding.  When air temperatures reach 60 degrees, mosquitoes become more lethargic, bite animals less, and begin to feed on plant sugars.

According to statistics compiled by Meteorologist Allison Miller, we first begin to see overnight lows in the 60s in mid-October. It is not until December that daytime highs are usually in the 60s, and this could get pushed later due to the re-emergence of an El Nino pattern, which leads to warmer than normal temperatures in our region. 

Our first frost is usually mid-November, and a good hard freeze that will wipe out most adult mosquito populations usually isn’t until December. It is best to take precautions into your own hands right now to reduce mosquitoes in and around your home.  It may be a couple more months before Mother Nature lends a hand.

By Hunter Ellis.Mosquito Relief For Central Texas Still Months Away