Fort Bend County officials say a recent aerial mosquito-control operation has led to an 83% reduction in mosquito activity, significantly lowering mosquito populations in areas hardest hit by recent flooding.
According to Fort Bend County Health & Human Services (FBCHHS), mosquito surveillance showed trap counts dropped from 109,536 mosquitoes before treatment to 18,711 after treatment, demonstrating the effectiveness of the county’s response.
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The aerial spraying was conducted after heavy rainfall and flooding created ideal breeding conditions, leading to an explosion in mosquito populations across the county.
Health officials said 12 of the county’s 15 targeted treatment areas experienced mosquito population reductions of more than 75%, helping reduce mosquito activity in some of the county’s highest-risk locations.
One treatment area recorded an increase in mosquito activity and is undergoing additional surveillance.
“These results demonstrate that our aerial mosquito control operation was highly effective in rapidly reducing mosquito populations across the targeted areas,” said Dr. Letosha Gale-Lowe, local health authority and director of Fort Bend County Health & Human Services.
County officials said reducing mosquito populations is an important step in lowering the risk of West Nile virus, but cautioned that no single treatment can eliminate the threat.
Because the virus is maintained through a natural cycle between mosquitoes and birds, it can persist or return as environmental conditions change.
Fort Bend County said it will continue using an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach that includes:
- Year-round mosquito surveillance
- Laboratory testing
- Larval mosquito control
- Targeted adult mosquito control
- Public education
Officials said mosquito populations can rebound after rainfall as new mosquitoes emerge or move in from untreated areas. Surveillance will continue throughout mosquito season, and additional control measures will be implemented if needed.
Health officials encourage residents to follow the 4 Ds of mosquito prevention:
- Dusk and Dawn: Limit outdoor activities when mosquitoes are most active.
- Drain: Remove standing water around homes and businesses where mosquitoes breed.
- Dress: Wear long sleeves and pants when spending time outdoors.
- Defend: Use an EPA-approved insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
Residents can also help reduce mosquito breeding by maintaining swimming pools, cleaning gutters, changing birdbath water regularly and making sure doors and windows have properly fitting screens.
Fort Bend County Health & Human Services will continue monitoring mosquito activity throughout the season and respond as surveillance data indicate additional treatment is needed.