It’s the time of year where mosquitoes are an inevitable part of life outdoors. Fortunately, out of the 44 species of mosquitoes in The Woodlands, only one threatens to pack more than an itch with its bite – West Nile virus. Here’s what you need to know to prevent itchy bites and protect your health.
Avoid Peak Times
You might feel like the main course at times, but the southern house mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus) – the primary vector for West Nile virus – would rather feast on birds than people. That’s why they’re most active at dawn and dusk when birds are roosting. However, if you’re also active then, you’ve put yourself on the menu.
Consider changing your routine to avoid harm’s way. Could you:
- Walk the dog before dinner instead of after dark?
- Go for a run after the sun has risen?
- Take a tee time between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.?
Putting it into action: Marissa likes walking her dog in the morning when the air is cooler. However, with the increase in West Nile virus activity, she’s started answering emails until 9 and then hits the trail. Sure, it’s a little sweatier, but the peace of mind is worth it.
Fight Back
If you find yourself watering plants at dusk or enjoying a sunrise coffee on the patio, here are some tools to fight the bite.
A Big 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!
Cloaking Spray
It can’t be said enough – wear repellent! Now is the time to make it 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 these three common reasons and offer some myth-busters 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 anytime you’re out and moving, especially during peak 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.
Bonus points: Wear a light-colored, long-sleeve 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.
The options are endless – what three things can you do today to reduce your chance of being bitten? Here are some ideas:
- Leave a can of repellent by my front door to use before walks
- Try a new repellent, one with an active ingredient that works for you
- Wear a long-sleeve shirt when gardening
- Wear long pants on walks
- Move the floor fan from the spare room to the patio
- Water the garden with a sprinkler on a timer instead of standing outside with the hose
- Change the timing of your dog 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 at here.
To report a mosquito concern, contact enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov or call 281-210-3800.
