HOUSTON — The storm may have passed but there is another danger lurking out there -- mosquitoes.
Houston is no stranger to the buzzing blockheads, but as the area continues to recover from the hurricane, it now is also battling an invasion from the pests and that is not making it any easier for the hot and tired people trying to clear away storm debris and rebuild.
When it comes to hurricanes and mosquitoes, there is good news and bad news. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the storm can actually kill adult mosquitoes. They have trouble surviving in the high winds produced by a hurricane, but immediately after the winds die down is when the trouble starts. Nuisance mosquitoes start to hatch. That’s thanks to floodwater eggs.
Those are eggs laid by mosquitoes in areas prone to flooding, they lay dormant in the soil until that next flood comes. When it does, they hatch creating large swarms of hungry bloodsuckers.
Floodwater mosquitoes are tough to prevent, but they are not alone. Their friends, container mosquitoes, Also emerge after a storm.
According to Texas A&M, those are the ones you often see around your home. Those are easier to battle by removing any standing water around your house. If you have water you can’t drain, mosquito dunks can be used. And as always don’t forget a good repellent that uses DEET to keep you bite free.