AUSTIN, Texas — Austin Public Health (APH) officials said on Wednesday that they're trapping more mosquitoes than usual after recent rains and warmer temperatures.
"We’re definitely seeing activity earlier," Nicole Ramsey, an environmental health officer with APH, said. "Warmer weather is going to give rise to more mosquitoes. They're going to be reproducing more, they're going to be spreading more disease, increasing their habitat. They just have more opportunities and more time."
For the past two weeks, Ramsey said APH has been setting roughly 30 mosquito traps each week.
“They are in various ZIP codes all over the city of Austin, and we do have some outside of city limits in Travis County,” Ramsey said. “They are set in the same location every week.”
APH sends those trapped mosquitoes to the state lab for testing.
“So far, we haven’t had any positive for West Nile,” Ramsey said. “We did see a lot of West Nile-positive mosquitoes last year. None yet this year. Doesn’t mean they’re not out there – we just haven’t caught them yet.”
Several people KVUE spoke with on Wednesday along the trail at Lady Bird Lake said they’re noticing the mosquito activity.
“I don’t get bit by mosquitoes, but I am getting bit,” Nandini Kohli said.
“You want to go for a run, it’s pretty tough,” Alex Carlino said.
“I’m seeing it more that normal, I feel like, in May,” Michael Thompson said. “Usually get to about June before it gets bad.”
“They look bigger though this year,” Cody Luttrell said.
Ramsey told KVUE her biggest tip to prevent mosquitoes is to eliminate standing water around the home. She also recommended using repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants, and trying to stay indoors at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
In addition to those tips, Lara Anton with Texas Department of State Health Services recommended using air conditioning or making sure window and door screens are in good repair.