By Elsa Maxey

Sugar Land and Missouri City both announced that they will increase mosquito spraying to address unusually high mosquito activity in neighborhoods throughout their communities. Each city will be tackling the mosquito population intensely for two consecutive weeks due to the abundantly reproducing mosquitoes pestering so many from the outcome of the recent rain activity.

Sugar Land said it provides mosquito control services each summer through a two-pronged approach. The first approach is the weekly application of Adulticide which is administered by spraying; these applications will occur twice per week through the end of July. The second approach is the application of Larvacide in the form of pellets, which are placed in areas where mosquitoes are known to breed, including ditches, storm sewers, detention ponds, etc. The Larvicide program is also conducted throughout the summer months.

In Missouri City, an independent contractor will use Kontrol 30-30, advises the city. It is an environmentally friendly pesticide that will be used throughout neighborhoods and parks, including the Quail Valley Golf Course. Special attention will also be given to other locations where mosquitoes swarm, including public drainage areas.

Missouri City states that the week of July 26, it will return to its regular weekly spraying schedule on Thursday nights through the first week of November. It advises residents that if rain falls on a spray day, the work will resume once the weather dries out.

In addition to spraying, Missouri City also uses mosquito larvacide applications in public areas where standing water is visible.

Homeowners in the area are asked to do their part in the following ways:

• Use EPA-registered mosquito repellents when necessary and follow label directions and precautions closely.
• Dump water from flowerpots, tires, birdbaths and plastic swimming pools.
• Clean gutters of debris and standing water.
• Repair leaky plumbing and outside faucets.
• Stock ornamental ponds with mosquito-eating fish like minnows.
• Don't wash lawn clippings into storm sewers.
• Drain water from tree holes and stumps or fill them with mortar.
• Do not leave garbage can lids lying upside down or allow water to collect in the bottom of garbage cans

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