Backyard pool becomes mosquito breeding ground

ATASCOCITA. Texas – An Atascocita golf course community marked by perfectly manicured lawns and expensive homes is having trouble with the owner of a dilapidated house teeming with mosquitoes.

The home is located in the Walden on Lake Houston subdivision.

"This is a family neighborhood. You can't have those sorts of things going on," neighbor, Rosemary Russo said.

The home at 8010 Mallardcrest Drive has a pool and spa in the back yard that is dirty and home to myriad insects, particularly mosquitoes.

"It's a problem because we're in 77346," neighbor James Leisinger said.

The Harris County Health Department has found both mosquitoes and dead birds infected with West Nile Virus in ZIP code 77346, near Lake Houston.

Code enforcement officers with the health department have cited the property six times since February, noting "unsanitary conditions that can harbor mosquitoes."

Local 2 Investigates tried to contact the owner of the property, without success. Neighbors, the Walden on Lake Houston's homeowners' association and the Harris County Health Department have not had much luck, either.

The owner, who appears to lives approximately 30 miles from his vacant rental home, will have an appointment with a judge if the property is not brought to code within the next four weeks.

A representative for the HOA said the group has already stated unspecified legal proceedings against the owner.