While Texans are no strangers to mosquitoes and the viruses they can carry, David Pearson, code enforcement officer for the city of Katy, said the species that carry the Zika virus bites victims during the day.
The many different species that carry the West Nile virus bite at night, he said.
Pearson said Katy officials have decided to step up their efforts in mosquito eradication efforts and are in the process of hiring a second part-time worker to assist with the spraying of mosquito pesticide at night, Pearson said.
“Officially, the normal start time for spraying is in May,” Pearson said. “In 2015, we started in April. This year, depending on the temperatures, we could start spraying in March.”
Pearson said residents should empty all standing water, often found in old tires, bottle caps, cans and any other trash, and also change the water in planters, pet dishes and livestock water troughs at least every 72 hours.
Residents can call the city Public Works Department to report water-holding trash at 281-391-4820.
Pearson said there are no Zika-carrying mosquitoes in Texas yet.
“The state of Texas is expecting them to arrive soon,” he said. “It’s farther down the road.”
