By Taitelyn Morris, Neighborhood and Community Relations Coordinator
We all love the return of warmer weather, but it also means those pesky mosquitoes are back.
The tiny pests are more than a mere annoyance — they can also threaten our health by spreading dangerous maladies such as malaria and West Nile virus. In 2023, West Nile was detected in Brazos County, and 113 cases were reported in Texas. The state also had 232 cases of malaria.
You can prevent mosquitoes from breeding around your home by using mosquito dunks. They are easy to use, effective, and eco-friendly.
The bi-layer tablets effectively eliminate mosquito larvae before they mature into biting adults. They can be used in common breeding sites around your home, such as garden ponds, birdbaths, roof gutters, and standing water.
The City of College Station’s Mosquito Abatement Program offers free dunks while supplies last. A packet of 12 tablets (each effective for 60 days) may be picked up in the City Manager’s Office (979-764-6262) at city hall or ordered online. Remember to call ahead before visiting the office to request your supply.
Dunks are only part of a vigorous line of defense. These sensible precautions can also help keep mosquitoes from invading your home and landscape:
- At least weekly, empty or remove trash cans, buckets, old tires, pots, plant saucers, and other containers that hold water.
- Keep your roof gutters clear of debris and standing water.
- Remove standing water around structures and from flat roofs.
- Change water in pet dishes daily.
- Rinse and scrub vases and other indoor water containers weekly.
- Change water in wading pools and birdbaths several times a week.
- Keep backyard pools and hot tubs properly chlorinated and free of debris.
- Cover trash containers.
- Water your landscape carefully so water doesn’t stand for days.
- Screen your rain barrels and openings on water tanks or cisterns.
- Treat front and back door areas with residual insecticides if mosquitoes are abundant.
- If mosquito problems persist, consider pesticide applications for your lawns and gardens.
With a little extra effort, you can enjoy the outdoor areas around your home without mosquitoes bugging you and your family.
About the Blogger
Taitelyn Morris is in her first year with the City of College Station. She previously served as a policy advisor with the Texas House of Representatives. In 2023, Taitelyn earned a master’s in public service and administration from Texas A&M’s Bush School of Government and Public Service. She also earned a bachelor’s in agricultural economics from A&M in 2021.
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