BEAUMONT, Texas — Monday's storms will be bringing even more mosquitoes into Southeast Texas after months of severe, wet weather.
Pest control experts say they have recently received an uptick in calls from both homeowners and even refineries for some relief.
They say the mix of flood waters and warmer temperatures make the perfect recipe for mosquito breeding and this spring they will be especially out of hand.
The experts tell 12News that with this weather, they believe this is only the beginning of a busy mosquito season, that will span well into the summer.
"There is a lot of mosquitoes right now. Everybody's talking about it," said Bill Clark Pest Control Entomologist Bart Foster. "Probably the worst places are going to be when you get to the coast. There are salt marsh mosquitoes that raise in the marsh area, and they can come about 20 miles inland."
Foster describes these mosquitoes as aggressive biters with a large population. He says the two other types include flood and permanent water mosquitoes.
"Floodwater mosquitoes are real common in yards. Anything that can hold water for 5-7 days could potentially raise mosquitoes," Foster said.
Foster says it's these pesky insects that have caused an increase in calls from homeowners. A service could run between $75 - $120 a month.
"To get effective control you need to do the service monthly and it really just depends on the size of the yard," said Foster.
He says but the bulk of their business comes from many of the refineries where they spray several times a day, sometimes seven days a week.
"The plants would have a major projects that would involve millions of dollars and they've got guys that can't get out and work," Foster said.
Back home, if their services are a bit out of your price range there are things you can do to prevent the blood sucking insects, according to Foster.
"Beware of plant pots, plants, kids toys, tarps anything that can catch water. Then keep the yard mowed. What you're trying to do with the treatment for the refineries or the year is reduce that population so you can work or enjoy your yard," said Foster.
Foster says as always you should dress in light colored-long sleeves, avoid activity at night and dawn and use repellant.