Summer in Houston sounds like the delicious sizzle of burgers on the grill, kids splashing in the pool, and then – the all-too-familiar and completely unwelcome sound of a mosquito. Without mosquito control, these troublesome pests always seem to take a peaceful, relaxing evening and turn it into an itchy nightmare full of swatting away tiny, yet aggressive, bugs. What makes it even worse is that the mosquitoes never really seem to leave town.
Houston’s infamous humidity, swampy terrain, and oven-like heat create a breeding ground for mosquitoes. This leads many homeowners to question how often they need to invest in mosquito control to be able to enjoy their yard and protect their families. We are proud to offer both mosquito fogging services as well as the installation of MistAway® systems.
When is Mosquito Season in Houston?
While they never truly go away in Houston, mosquitoes are most prevalent during the spring, summer, and early fall months. Every year can be different, but the peak season typically falls between April and October. If temperatures are consistently over 50°F, mosquitoes could be present.
The Houston area is seeing a significant increase in mosquitoes over the past year, most likely due to the increasing year-round temperature and large amount of rain received. Oftentimes, storms that create large amounts of standing water will tip off a “breeding boom,” resulting in a large amount of mosquitoes being bred in puddles or even in damp mud. Both of these factors make for optimal breeding conditions, leading to major population growth trends across Houston.
For example, in April 2023, 34,389 adult female mosquitoes were caught across Harris County in select areas. In 2024, those same traps caught 72,741. The first case of West Nile virus carried by a mosquito was reported in May this year, which could be an early indicator of an active season.
Houston’s Common Mosquito Lineup
Not all mosquitoes act alike. Houston has a large variety of mosquito species, all of which have different breeding habits, characteristics, and dangers.
- Psorophora, Ochlerotatus, and Aedes Genera are known for breeding just above water. Regardless of what water, these species will seek it out and lay their eggs near the waterline, making them particularly fond of Houston’s humid rainy season. These mosquitoes have a delayed breeding ability. Their eggs can stay dry for months, finally hatching as soon as they are exposed to moisture.
- The Culex species, also known as the common house mosquito, lays its eggs in stagnant water and is known for carrying a myriad of dangerous diseases, such as West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis.
- Aedes mosquitoes often seek clean, shallow water. This frequently brings them in or near houses, breeding in bird baths, vases, and even wading pools. Much like the Culex species, the Aedes mosquitoes have been found to carry chikungunya, dengue, and Zika diseases.
Mosquitos are much more than their irritating buzz and itchy, swollen bites. The diseases they carry can be dangerous and should be taken seriously. This is just another reason to invest in high-quality, effective mosquito control for your yard this summer.
The Science of Mosquito Eradication
The primary goal of mosquito control is to disrupt the life cycle of the mosquito. This demands a serious undertaking due to the rapid breeding and maturation of mosquitoes. In an area with optimal breeding conditions, a mosquito can go from an egg to a full-fledged, biting adult in 4-7 days. This means targeting adult mosquitoes directly and their eggs indirectly is the most efficient way to reduce breeding clusters in your yard gradually. Our MistAway® systems help combat this specific issue by giving users the freedom to turn power up and down based on environmental factors, as well as their plans.
Using other techniques like larvacides or completely removing all standing water in your yard, like divots or dips in your lawn, can help stop the breeding cycle and lessen the frequency of treatments your property needs. In many cases, it may take several sessions to eradicate them due to their rapid breeding booms during the summer months.
Crusader Mosquito Control tailors these strategies perfectly to each of our valued clients. We understand the breeding cycle and will create a unique plan so you can get back to enjoying your backyard in no time at all.
Factors Affecting Mosquito Control Frequency and Urgency
While each yard is different, the core question is, how often do you need treatment to lessen the number of mosquitoes in your yard? The answer is individual because it almost completely balances on environmental factors, but luckily for Houstonians, mosquitoes are simple creatures.
When the heat rises, you can know that breeding will be sped up, requiring a more frequent schedule. While rain and visible standing water in your yard may mean a mosquito control appointment should be made more urgently to prevent breeding booms.
As a general rule of thumb, anytime the humidity increases, mosquito control sessions need to be addressed more urgently and more frequently.
Property-Specific Factors for Optimal Pest Management
The Houston weather is not the only thing that dictates your mosquito control struggles. Even the unique layout of your backyard can greatly influence the frequency of the mosquito control you need.
Large amounts of dense foliage present lots of nooks and hiding spots for mosquitoes to hide during the day. Cutting back on your overgrown landscape will keep the mosquitoes exposed to the direct heat during the day and, in turn, less attracted to your backyard.
Along with unkempt vegetation, neglected water features can also attract pesky bugs to your property. Making sure any holes that are filled with stagnant water are properly repaired and maintained, as well as keeping any bird baths or fountains consistently flowing, can help reduce breeding ground options.
Mosquitos are also known to spread from property to property, so discussing mosquito prevention with neighbors can help prevent serious infestations on your street.
Finding the Right Fit for You
Not all homeowners may want or need maximum protection, even in the summer. If you and your family aren’t fans of the heat and prefer to enjoy staying inside with the AC, using our basic mosquito control schedule of every 21 days usually fits the bill in most cases.
However, if you enjoy spending time in your yard and hosting guests outdoors, a maximum protection plan might be something to consider. Schedules that aim for the complete removal of mosquitoes can be as frequent as sessions every 2 weeks.
If you pride yourself on your backyard barbecues and pool parties, but don’t want mosquitoes invited to the party, installing MistAway® systems throughout your yard can be an easy and non-invasive way to consistently cut back on breeding. The installation of a MistAway® system comes with a lifetime warranty, giving you the confidence to conquer the buzz.
Mosquito control is ultimately a collaborative effort between Crusader Mosquito Control and our client. Your job is to maintain your yard and communicate your needs, and we take it from there.
Managing Mosquitos Doesn’t Have to Be a Losing Battle
Imagine enjoying your yard with your family and friends without constantly looking over your shoulder for irritating, biting mosquitoes. This could be your reality if you use Crusader Mosquito Control’s tried-and-true strategy for long-lasting, stress-free mosquito control. The answer is dynamic, just like you, and we are committed to providing you with a tailored solution for even the buggiest concerns.
Taking your yard back starts here. Contact us today for your free mosquito control system consultation.
