Recent flooding, including flooding from storm surge and rains due to Hurricane Ike, likely will lead to significantly increased mosquito activity in many parts of Texas.

“Flooding in many parts of the state has created optimal conditions for mosquitoes to breed, making these areas a regular hotbed of mosquito activity,” said Mark Johnsen, PhD, a medical entomologist with the Texas AgriLife Extension Department of Agricultural and Environmental Safety.

Johnsen said along with the rise in mosquito activity comes an increased need to understand more about mosquito behavior to ensure better control.

“Having the right information about mosquito behavior and proper control options can help reduce both the nuisance factor and possible threat of disease transmitted by mosquitoes,” he said