There is a chance the number of West Nile cases will grow, especially after the recent rainfall here in Central Texas. Mosquitos need water to breed and the added water will only bump
up the population leaving you and your family at risk for the West Nile Virus. But we have some help for you. Here's you can mosquito-proof your yard.
Susie Boulter is doing everything she can to protect her family from mosquitos and the West Nile Virus.
"I have a grandchild that I take care of and we're out doors a lot and I am concerned that she will get sick," said Susie.
A damp yard is home sweet home for mosquitos, especially after the recent rain here in Central Texas.
"Best case is prevention," said Dr. Shane Maxwell at the Scott and White Urgent Care Clinic in Killeen. He says the best prevention is protection.
That means getting rid of all standing water in your yard.
"Even an inch or two of water that's been around for a week or two and reproduce the mosquitos," said Dr. Maxwell.
So Susie tips over her empty pots, and changes the water in her bird bath every week.
Even sprays her yard, but she knows she can't do it alone. "I can spray our yard but if our neighbors don't do it the mosquitoes are there and they'll come over here," she said.
Crews in Dallas County are already spraying in the air, which worries some."It would probably do something else to people, you know that is poison," said Minnie Rivera.
But for Susie, it's an idea she hopes Bell County will do too. "I think that would be better. We're better off in the long run if they do that," she said.
While you're mosquito-proofing your yard, don't forget that puddles of water in your children's play swings are also standing water and you should dump them out too.
Mosquitos like to come out when you like to go outside. That's at dusk or dawn.
If you are outside remember to use a repellent containing DEET.
