HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — It's that time again. Mosquito season is back and this year, experts are predicting it to be a busy one.
On Tuesday, Harris County Public Health shared their plan to beat the bite and help keep families safe.
HCPH Executive Director Barbie Robinson said the Houston area is perfect breeding conditions for the pesky flying insects.
"Our region is prone to hurricanes, tropical storms, and wet conditions, as well as hot weather, these types of conditions lead to an increase in mosquito populations which pose a higher risk of mosquito-borne illnesses in humans and animals,” said Robinson.
This is why Harris County Public Health has a team dedicated to protecting residents.
Dr. Maximea "Max" Vigilant is the director of the HCPH Mosquito and Vector Control Division.
"We do year-round testing, collecting mosquitoes and sampling for West Nile virus, dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and St. Louis encephalitis,” said Vigilant.
If detected, Vigilant said residents should expect to see spray trucks out treating the impacted areas.
Harris County is home to about 56 different species, but according to health officials, only a few of those can carry diseases that can make people sick.
So far, Dr. Vigilant said there have been no positive mosquito samples, but that can change as we enter peak breeding season starting in May through October.
Based on the consistently warmer-than-normal temperatures we've had already, Vigilant expects this season to be an active one.
"And with the rains coming in, the temperatures, and environmental conditions I'm expecting an increase in mosquitoes this season,” he said.
This is why experts are urging people to stay vigilant.
"We use state-of-the-art technology to aid in our prevention efforts, but the greatest tool that we have is you the public,” said Robinson.
Health officials said it doesn't take much for a mosquito to breed. A bottle cap of water can breed up to 200 mosquitoes.
Some simple steps you can take to stay safe is to remember the three T's: tip, toss, and take action.
You can get rid of any stagnant water from open containers around your home and toss out any items or debris that can collect water.
You can also protect yourself from bites when outside by wearing long-sleeve shirts and pants and spraying yourself with mosquito repellent that contains DEET.