As a Texan, it’s inevitable that you’ve been plagued by a few mosquito bites. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, as there are 85 species of mosquitoes native to Texas! While mosquitoes are often thought of as just a summer nuisance, some of the mosquitoes in your backyard may pose a serious threat in terms of the diseases they carry.
Read on to learn about some of the most common disease-carrying mosquitoes native to Texas, how to identify them, and how to keep them away from your home.
Key Takeaways
- There are dozens of mosquito species native to Texas, but some of the most common disease-carrying mosquitoes to be wary of are aedes aegypti (the yellow fever mosquito), culex (the common house mosquito), and anopheles (the yellow fever mosquito).
- The mosquito population in Texas is influenced by a variety of factors, including climate patterns and the geographical features of your area.
- If you notice a mosquito problem in your yard, try DIY mosquito control methods (like diffusing certain scents or using insect repellent), or call a professional to put a stop to the invasion for good.
Common Mosquito Species in Texas
Below are some of the most common mosquito species native to Texas, how to identify them, and which mosquito-borne illnesses you should be wary of if one leaves you with a bite.
Aedes Aegypti
Description and Distinguishing Features |
---|
|
Preferred Habitats and Breeding Sites in Texas |
|
Diseases Carried and Their Prevalence in Texas |
|
Culex
Description and Distinguishing Features |
---|
|
Preferred Habitats and Breeding Sites in Texas |
|
Diseases Carried and Their Prevalence in Texas |
|
Anopheles
Description and Distinguishing Features |
---|
|
Preferred Habitats and Breeding Sites in Texas |
|
Diseases Carried and Their Prevalence in Texas |
|
What Factors Influence Texas’s Mosquito Population?
Several factors might influence mosquitoes’ prevalence within Texas at any given time or place. Below are two of the most common and how they affect mosquito numbers.
Climate and Weather Patterns
Mosquitoes are notoriously a summer pest, but climate change and longer seasons of warm weather means mosquitoes will likely have more time to thrive in Texas on an annual basis.
While mosquitoes are typically only present from the spring to the fall (and reach their peak in the summer), there’s a chance mosquitoes (and their diseases) may begin to pose a threat for a longer time each year.
Geographical Features and Landscapes
Different types of mosquitoes prefer different habitats—some like to live near human hosts, while others venture deeper into the forest, marshes, or fields of tall grass. All mosquitoes like water, as they lay their eggs in standing water, but some prefer permanent bodies of water while others prefer temporary floodwater (i.e. puddles, tree holes filled with water).
Depending on the area of Texas you live in and your proximity to certain bodies of water and other geographical features, you might see a greater influx of pests during mosquito season.
DIY Mosquito Control
If you’re noticing a mosquito problem in your area, there are some DIY measures for controlling mosquitoes you can take. Try:
- Mosquito-repelling plants like lavender, citronella, or marigolds (or diffusing their essential oils)
- Store-bought insect repellent
- Spraying insecticides and/or larvicides in your yard
- Eliminating sources of standing water and trimming untamed vegetation
- Wearing long-sleeved shirts and other protective, bright-colored, loose-fitting clothing
Implementing some of these methods at your next backyard barbecue can help prevent pesky bites (and the spread of disease)!
Professional Mosquito Control
If your local mosquito outbreak becomes serious, it’s best to call a pest control professional. A professional exterminator can help identify the source of the problem, determine the best course of action, and get it under control for good. In the face of serious mosquito-borne illnesses, it’s better to be safe than sorry.