It is official. I am tired of the rain. You would think after living most of my life in Louisiana, I would be used to precipitation, but getting this much rain in only a few days is causing a lot of havoc.
We know our farmers and ranchers love the moisture because it helps the soil deep beneath the surface, but when the fields are nothing but standing water or mud, they can’t get out and work.
But the bigger problem the rain will bring is the official state pest of the south — the mosquito. I have emptied all of my pots of standing water several times over the past few weeks. I do not want to be a mosquito breeder.
The City of Snyder will begin spraying this week to help control the mosquito population, but residents need to do their part. We have published tips to control the mosquito breeding area several times, but the No. 1 thing to do is rid your yard of standing water and keep the lawn mowed.
Scurry County Extension Agent Greg Gruben said last week that the mosquito population was bad in the county. So beware and let the swatting begin.
He directed me to a story on the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service website to show homeowners the situation is not being blown out of proportion.
Dr. Mike Merchant, a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service entomologist in Dallas, said the recent rains created plenty of opportunities for mosquitoes to propagate, and homeowners should take preemptive measures to reduce populations within their neighborhoods.
“Now is a good time to dump out bird baths, unused fountains and other containers holding water in anticipation of later spring mosquitoes,” he said in the story. “Early mosquitoes don’t usually bring human diseases, but the bites itch just as much.”
Early mosquitoes may travel 10 miles or more in search of hosts, he said. These floodwater mosquitoes breed in puddles that form after spring rains.
Merchant said it’s difficult to predict the severity of mosquito hatches and possible threats from the airborne pest spreading diseases such as West Nile virus and Chikungunya. But the mild winter and recent spring rains are two factors that may lead to an earlier and more severe disease season beginning in June.
“The worst situation is when we have a wet spring followed by a dry, hot summer,” he said. “Dry conditions sound counterintuitive, but that’s what disease-carrying mosquitoes like best. When the rains go away, creeks and water in containers become stagnant and bacteria-laden — just the kind of water they like. Breeding sites for West Nile virus-carrying mosquitoes include bird baths, buckets, clogged gutters, tire swings, wheelbarrows or anything that holds rain or irrigation water.”
So make sure to empty anything with standing water and if you have a bug zapper, go ahead and plug it in and enjoy the show.
Ben Barkley is the managing editor of the Snyder Daily News. He has covered news and sports for more than 25 years in Louisiana and Texas. Comments about his column can be emailed to barkley@snyderdailynews.com.