Mosquito-Borne Illnesses Every Texan Should Know About This Summer

For many parts of Texas, this has been an unusually wet summer, which is wonderful for many reasons- cooler temperatures, lower water bills for gardens and lawns, and more productive crops.

However, rain tends to leave standing water, and with that comes a major influx of mosquitoes. The ones I've encountered this year are massive, and as my Dad said, "they are not respecting mosquito Happy Hour." I've been getting bit up at 8 a.m.!

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Mosquito bites are almost always just obnoxious and uncomfortable. However, some mosquitoes carry viruses that are dangerous and even potentially deadly for animals and people.

Areas in Texas Most Affected by Mosquito Activity

While the answer appears to be ALL this year, according to Miss Quito, "East and Central Texas have much larger populations of mosquitoes" than other parts of the state.

And mosquitoes thrive in urban areas- lots of food (people) and warmer temperatures thanks to heat domes. Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin are all in the Top 50 cities for mosquito populations.

Best Mosquito Repellents and Prevention Methods

The most important thing you can do is eliminate any standing water on your property or use mosquito dunks. However, that won't keep mosquitoes from buzzing in from elsewhere.

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Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and use insect repellent if you're going to be outside. I like to bring out a cheap box fan too, as it both cools down the porch and blows those suckers away.

Also, be sure to keep them out of your house by using screens on windows and doors.

Dangerous Mosquito-Borne Diseases to Watch for in Texas

Luckily, most of these diseases are tropical or sub-tropical, and are usually only detected in folks who have visited or are from areas with those climates. However, West Nile virus is endemic to Texas, so you do want to exercise caution as it can develop into a serious disease.

These are the mosquito-borne viruses that can appear in Texas, according to Texas Health and Human Services, including which symptoms to look out for. If you believe you have contracted any of these illnesses, be sure to seek medical attention.