Brownwood/Brown County Health Department officials are taking action on the increased population of mosquitoes in the area after an increased volume of complaints received within the city of Brownwood.
According to Brown County Sanitation Inspector Paul Coghlan, the recent rains have caused water to stand, making a perfect environment for mosquito larvae to thrive and develop into increased numbers of mosquitoes in the area.
Any area of stagnant water, especially coffee colored water that is in a shaded area, is the perfect home for mosquitoes to flourish. Coghlan said that now is the time that these little pests’ eggs are hatching and larvae is growing in places such as streams, bird baths, swimming pools, buckets, tall grass and their favorite home – abandoned tires.
Coghlan and Brown County Public Health Official Dr. James Hays took time to survey areas of Brownwood and start treatment of these pests within the area. This process includes treating ditches and small bodies of water with microbial briquettes. These briquettes slowly control the mosquito larvae before pupation due to the sustained release nature of the briquettes. They are safe for all other wildlife and humans, affecting only the mosquito larvae. Once the briquettes have been placed, they cover an area of up to 100 square feet, and keep the mosquitoes away for up to 3 weeks.
Elderly citizens, small children, pregnant women, and anyone with a depressed immune system are especially at risk for infection of West Nile Virus, which is commonly spread by mosquitoes.
“The sad thing is that West Nile Virus can happen to anyone. Our goal is not to have any West Nile Virus infections in Brown County,” said Coghlan. “I’ve never seen this many mosquitoes in the past 6 years I’ve been here. We take this very seriously.”
The Brownwood/Brown County Health Department urges residents to follow the following preventative measures to help prevent West Nile Virus infection:
To help control the mosquito population, citizens can do several things, including:
- Remove trash, bottles and debris holding water
- Clean clogged gutters
- Flush bird baths and fountains weekly
- Drain flower pots and other garden containers
- Drain water from children’s wading pools and toys
- Fix leaky faucets where water stands
- Remove old tires that hold water
- Fill holes and depressions in yards
- Clean debris out of drainage easements
- Eliminate standing water on flat roofs
- Adjust tarps over woodpiles, grills and boats so water doesn’t stand in the tarp
- Keep vegetation trimmed low
There are many ways residents and families can protect themselves from mosquitoes. To reduce the risk of getting bitten, remember the four Ds:
- Dusk to Dawn – This is the time when mosquitoes, likely to carry infection, are most active. Stay indoors from dusk to dawn whenever possible.
- Drain – Standing water in your yard and neighborhood, old tires, flowerpots, clogged drain gutters, bird baths and small pools can be breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
- Dress – In light colored long sleeves and pants when you are outside, especially in mosquito infested areas.
- Deet – If you are going outside when mosquitoes are most active, make sure you apply insect repellent that contains DEET –Read and follow label instructions, spray both exposed skin and clothing with repellent when outdoors.
For more information or questions or to report an area which needs to be treated, please contact the Brownwood/Brown County Health Department at 325-646-0554.
Pictured above is stagnant water infested with mosquito larvae. Below are photos of abandoned tires found by health department offiicals Monday night. These tires make an ideal environment for mosquitoes.
