To take a bite out of the pesky mosquito populations, which have increased recently due to hot temperatures and rain, Missouri City has scheduled extra spray days.
In addition to every Thursday, the City will spray all neighborhoods on Saturday, Sept. 7 and Tuesday, Sept. 10. Additional spraying within the park areas, including the Quail Valley Golf Course, will be done tonight, Friday, Sept. 6. All spraying will take place between the hours of 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
An environmentally friendly pesticide, Kontrol 30-30, will be used and special attention will be given to locations where mosquitoes swarm, including public drainage areas and parks.
The City will continue to monitor the issue and may repeat the extra sprayings if necessary.
“Mosquitoes can be a health hazard and the additional spraying will complement the prevention measures we already have in place to keep the populations low,” said Sharon Valiante, Assistant Director of Public Works. “Residents can assist with the control measures as well. Your best defense against being bitten is to be prepared.”
Mosquito control methods that staff recommends to residents include:
- Empty any containers that collect standing water
- Empty wading pools
- Clear away backyard clippings where mosquitoes can breed
- Change water in bird baths and flower cuttings every few days
- Clean drainage ditches of debris and weeds
- Clear rain gutters
- Report illegal dumping of tires
- Store pet food and water dishes that are not being used
- Do not leave garbage can lids lying upside down and do not allow water to collect in the bottom of garbage cans
- Use repellent when outdoors
- Spray your yard with an outdoor mosquito spray
- Spray inside your home using a “flying insect spray”. Please be sure to follow directions on the label.
- Wear protective clothing while outside
Additionally, details on how you and your family can “Fight the Bite” can be found on the City’s emergency preparedness website: www.missouricityready.com. And, if you or a loved one has been recently bitten by a mosquito and are having the following symptoms: fever, headache, fatigue, body aches, skin rashes and swollen lymph glands, please contact a physician immediately.
For more information, please call 281-403-8500, visit the City’s website at www.missouricitytx.gov, and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MissouriCityTX and Twitter @MissouriCityEM and @MissouriCityTX.