After a very dry start of the year, mosquitoes have reared their not-so-pretty heads.
The pests also have been ambushing involuntary blood donors who venture outdoors even for a few minutes in the morning or evening.
Bell County extension agent Dirk Aaron said this year's crop has been "totally disrupting" some football games.
Buzzing, biting and swarming around football games, the hungry bugs have been having a field day with bodies packed into brightly lit stadiums. Add a few pre-game splashes of cologne and a crowd dressed in T-shirts and shorts, and the uninvited guests consider themselves invited.
"The mild weather offers ideal conditions for insect invasion," said Aaron, who recommends repellents containing DEET or lemon oil of eucalyptus. "Right now we have the perfect scenario with the moisture, humidity and mild temperatures."
One of the buggiest stadiums of late has been at Central Texas Christian School. Superintendent Ed Thomas said detention ponds near the school seemed to be contributing to the problem.
"It was the worst problem with mosquitoes we've ever had," Thomas said of a recent game. "Most of our fans ended up getting mosquito repellent and hung in there for the rest of the game.
"We did come in and do some treatments and (last Friday) it was much better."
Aaron said school staff had contacted his office for guidance in managing the mosquito problem. He recommended dropping mosquito dunks, which keep eggs from developing into mosquitoes, into two detention ponds on CTCS property. He also advised staff to clear high grass from the area, tips that can help any home or business owner curb mosquitoes.
"We encourage people to dump it, drain it and refill it," Aaron said, noting that mosquitoes can breed in as little as two ounces of water. "Anytime water collects, it can breed thousands of mosquitoes. Even blades of grass can provide immense breeding grounds."
Unfortunately, Aaron said things probably won't get better any time soon.
"I don't foresee any improvements until we get dryer conditions and colder temperatures. We're in a window of time when we're going to see these conditions until we get a killing frost, which is hopefully not until mid-November."
In the meantime, exterminator Scott Morrow recommends frequently changing water in pet bowls and watching areas that can be breeding grounds like ponds, bird baths, tubs and swimming pools.
"Stagnating water is what you don't want," Morrow said. "Anytime it's after a big rain like we've had, mosquitoes that have been breeding in creekways will be pushed out into neighborhoods as the creeks fill with water."
Creekside mosquitoes, which can travel one mile from creekbeds, tend to grow larger and look more menacing to their victims, Morrow said. Container mosquitoes tend to look smaller and more gnat-like.
They can be discouraged from an area by increasing airflow from patio ceiling fans or standing fans, he said.
"You're never going to totally get rid of them," Morrow said. "The best thing we can hope for is that these cold fronts will start knocking them down as it gets colder at night."
