GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas – Mosquitoes of all varieties by the millions are part of our lives in southeast Texas and the challenge of keeping them at bay has been a big one all summer. Many of our communities have added extra shifts of spraying to kill the pesky critters.
But Galveston County is unique. With its plentiful marshes and standing water, the mosquito population there has been especially robust.
Jennifer Bolding says she has totally changed her way of life.
"I stay inside," she said. "I literally stay inside and don't do a thing."
Bolding is also taking measures to protect her children.
"We spray them down with Off. It's like a torture that must be endured in order to go outside," she said.
Many in Galveston County have been lucky to find Off or any other kind of mosquito repellent.
Jennifer Betts works at the local Dollar Store.
"We got a truck that came in last Thursday and we ran out of mosquito spray in two days" she said. "That's how bad they were."
Residents in communities throughout Galveston County have been burning up the phone lines to their cities asking how to get relief.
They have all been referred to the Galveston County Mosquito Control where its website makes clear the size of the ongoing challenge.
"We have been working overtime since last weekend to spray as many areas as possible. Our trucks and airplane are both spraying and will continue to spray until we get it knocked down," the website says.
Galveston County Judge Mark Henry said the challenge is daunting.
"We've got crews working almost around the clock as we attack areas in the cities and in the unincorporated areas. We're doing the best we can to keep up." he said.
Dickinson resident Mark Atkins said he's noticed the more aggressive plan.
"It was on Tuesday when we heard the mosquito man out on the streets at 2am and again at 4am so it seems like they have been doubling up," he said.
Hopefully, Galveston County residents will notice the increased efforts and give the County Judges' phone lines a break.
He's hopeful but not expecting it.
"That's one thing that's been consistent the last four years I've been in office." he said. "I get more calls about mosquitoes than I do about tax rates."
John Marshall, head of Galveston County Mosquito Control, said the worst of the mosquito outbreak is over for now. But after a hard rain expect another batch to hatch in a week or so, and the cycle starts all over again.