West Nile mosquitoes still found in area, tips offered

THE WOODLANDS, Texas –– As reported back at the beginning of summer, West Nile was confirmed in The Woodlands. Now, over 95 samples of mosquitoes in The Woodlands/South Montgomery County area have tested positive for West Nile virus. As of this time, no accounts of human illness in the area have been reported yet.

In response, The Woodlands Township and the Montgomery County Mosquito Abatement team have been spraying larvicide, spraying select storm drains and targeted street spraying. Teams will also continue surveying the area for more mosquitoes with the virus.

No reports of human illness in Montgomery County have been filed with department. Officials are urging residents to protect themselves and others from mosquito bites.


Here are some tips to decrease mosquito bites:

-Stay indoors from dusk to dawn when disease-carrying mosquitoes are most active. If it’s necessary to go outside, officials say residents should wear long, loose, light-colored clothing and use a repellent. Select product strength based on the amount of time planned to be outside.

-Property owners can decrease the number of mosquitoes on their property by monitoring and eliminating all sources of standing water. Avoid overwatering and control run-off from irrigation systems.

-French drains, water meter boxes, bird baths and plant saucers hold water and can become breeding sites. Remove debris and dump anything that holds water. Treat standing water that cannot be drained with a biological larvicide containing Bti, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis. Local home improvement stores carry products, such as mosquito dunks that can be used.