Pest Library · West Texas
Mosquitoes in West Texas
Odessa is dry most of the year, but a hard summer storm changes things fast. Puddles, tarps and clogged gutters can turn into mosquito nurseries within days.
Quick answer
Mosquitoes in West Texas breed in standing water left after rain and from sprinklers. Most mosquito bites only itch, but some mosquitoes can carry West Nile virus. Texas DSHS puts the share of infected people who never feel ill at about 80 percent. Dumping standing water each week and using EPA registered repellent are the best ways to protect your family.
Where Basin Mosquitoes Breed
Odessa averages only about 12 inches of rain a year, and May and August tend to be the wettest months. When a storm hits, water sits in places most people never think about:
- Buckets, tarps and kiddie pools
- Old tires and wheelbarrows
- Clogged gutters and flat roofs
- Plant saucers and bird baths
- Low spots in the yard and leaky drip lines
- AC drain lines that keep the ground soggy
Many mosquitoes in Texas lay eggs right at or on the water. The young, called larvae, live in the water until they become biting adults. The EPA says the larval stage is the best time to stop them, because they are packed into small spots and can't fly away yet.
How Mosquitoes Behave
Only female mosquitoes bite. They need a blood meal to make eggs. Some kinds bite most at dusk and dawn, while others bite during the day in shady spots near the house. Adults rest in tall grass, dense shrubs and shaded corners of the yard during the heat of the day.
A mosquito can breed in very little water. Bottle caps, a sagging tarp or the tray under a potted plant are enough.
Mosquito Bites and Health Risk
Most bites cause a small, itchy bump and nothing more. Wash the bite and try not to scratch. A cold pack can help with the itch.
The bigger concern is disease. Texas DSHS tracks West Nile virus, which mosquitoes spread to people. DSHS says:
- Roughly 4 in 5 people who get the virus have no illness at all.
- About 20 percent get a mild illness called West Nile fever.
- Signs usually start 2 to 14 days after the bite.
West Nile Virus Symptoms
DSHS lists mild symptoms as fever, headache and body aches, and sometimes a rash on the chest or back and swollen glands. These may last a few days.
Rarely, the virus causes severe illness. Signs can include high fever, a stiff neck, confusion, tremors, seizures, muscle weakness and paralysis. Anyone with these signs needs medical care right away.
How to Prevent Mosquitoes at Home
The EPA and DSHS give the same core advice: get rid of standing water and protect your skin.
- Dump water every week
Empty buckets, toys, tires, plant saucers and pool covers at least once a week. Change bird bath and pet bowl water often.
- Fix the sources
Clean gutters, fix leaky hoses and drip lines and fill low spots that hold water.
- Screen your home
Repair torn window and door screens. Screen rain barrels so mosquitoes can't lay eggs inside.
- Use repellent
Use an EPA registered repellent when outside. DSHS says products with DEET are safe and work well when used as directed, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
- Cover up
Wear long sleeves and long pants outdoors, especially at dusk and dawn.
For yards that stay buggy after cleanup, see mosquito control. Living near open land or water? Check the Gardendale and Big Spring pages for local tips.
Mosquito FAQs
Why do I get so many mosquito bites after it rains?
Rain fills containers, tarps and low spots, and mosquitoes lay eggs in that water. In warm weather, it doesn't take long for a new batch of adults to start biting. Dumping water within a few days of a storm breaks the cycle before they hatch.
What are the first West Nile virus symptoms?
Texas DSHS says mild cases often bring fever, headache and body aches, sometimes with a rash on the trunk or swollen glands. Signs usually start 2 to 14 days after the bite. See a doctor for a stiff neck, confusion, high fever or weakness.
Is DEET safe for my family?
Texas DSHS says repellents with DEET are proven safe and effective when used as directed, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Read the label for children, apply to exposed skin and clothing only, and wash it off once you are back inside.
Do mosquitoes really live in the desert?
Yes. West Texas is dry, but mosquitoes in Texas need only a little standing water to breed. Sprinklers, AC lines, pet bowls and summer storms give them plenty of chances. That is why most Odessa mosquito problems come from water around the home.
Same Day Service Available
Get Help With Mosquitoes
Can't enjoy the backyard after a storm? Request a free yard inspection. Your technician will find the breeding spots and lay out a plan.
Odessa Pest Control connects you with a local pest control technician. Ask for their Texas license number before work starts.
Pest Library
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German Cockroaches
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Termites
How to spot native subterranean termites, mud tubes and spring swarmers.
Bed Bugs
How to identify bed bugs, read the signs on your sheets and stop them spreading.
Fire Ants
How to spot fire ant mounds, what the stings do and why bait beats mound spraying.
House Mice
How to read droppings and gnaw marks, and how a dime size gap lets mice in.
Black Widow Spiders
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Sources
- Texas Department of State Health Services, West Nile Virus: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/mosquito-borne-diseases/west-nile-virus
- Texas Department of State Health Services, Mosquito Borne Diseases: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/mosquito-borne-diseases
- EPA, Success in Mosquito Control: An Integrated Approach: https://www.epa.gov/mosquitocontrol/success-mosquito-control-integrated-approach