As summer temperatures hit the triple digits, Katelyn Kolwes, Ph.D., an entomologist with Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, says mosquito numbers are about to soar. This year concerns nationally over Zika virus combined with the reality that Lubbock is home to the type of mosquitoes which can carry Zika mean that home owners on the South Plains should stay alert for mosquito-breeding spots on their property.

Lubbock Vector Control tells EverythingLubbock.com that they’ve been fogging for mosquitoes in Lubbock County since May. In previous years they have primarily treated  for the type of mosquitoes which carry West Nile, but this year Zika virus is factoring in to their mosquito control plan. But because Zika carrying mosquitoes are primarily backyard breeders, Vector Control said they need the public’s help to keep these mosquitoes out of town.

Kowles walked EverythingLubbock.com through a Lubbock home Wednesday, offering tips about how to keep mosquitoes– especially the type that can carry Zika– out of your neighborhood.

“The two species of mosquitoes which are vectoring Zika here, aedes albopictus and aedes aegypti, are very domesticated,” Kowled explained.”They like to breed in our backyards, in these artificial or natural containers, whether it be a tree hole or water in your alley way. They don’t actually fly that far from breeding sites, we say it’s usually about 200 feet or 1 to 3 houses in a neighborhood.”

That means individual neighbors have a big part in keeping mosquitoes away.

“So if you’re seeing [the type of mosquitoes that carry Zika] in your backyard, they either came from your backyard or your neighbors backyard,” Kowles said.

The biggest suggestion Kowles offered was eliminating any standing water on your property. She explained that mosquitoes need only one and a half ounces of water to breed and 8 to 10 days to reproduce. For homeowners that means you should be emptying all standing water on your property at least once a week, Kowles said.

She added that you’ll also want to make sure you clean up any extra trash or planters that could be collecting water around your home.

Additionally, Kowles says keeping your lawn tidy can help keep mosquitoes from hanging out in your yard. 

“They like the shade they like the cool, mow your grass, get a weed whacker to get the weeds along the fence,” Kowles said.

She also recommends cleaning out holes in trees that might fill with water as well as gutters on your home that might fill with debris.

If you are really looking to eliminate backyard mosquitoes, she recommends investing in a personal insect fogger.

“It’s used to kill adult mosquitoes, it’s very easy to use, has a propane tank attached and uses pyrethroid which is a synthetic chemical, you hit this button and it sprays out plumes of smoke,” Kowles explained. She recommends that if you use a personal fogger, to apply hours before or the night before you know you’ll be outside in your yard.

Because Zika carrying mosquitoes tend to remain so close to their breeding sites, it may be worth talking to the people who live around you about keeping streets and alleyways free of standing water.

“It couldn’t hurt to talk to your neighbors to say, ‘Hey can you check your backyard for some water, I have a lot of mosquitoes, we’re worried about Zika this year,’ and it cant hurt for everyone to do their part and just eliminate these breeding spots for mosquitoes .”

Robert Lopez Jr. of Lubbock Vector Control said one of his greatest concerns is the overgrown lawns he’s seen around town which could house more mosquitoes. He hopes the public will take the time to learn what they can do to stay as mosquito-free as possible this summer.
“Working together we’ll lower the number of mosquitoes,” he said.