Recent rainfall is bringing higher mosquito activity across Corpus Christi, as crews spray neighborhoods and experts share bite prevention tips.<\/p>\n
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas \u2014 Recent rainfall across Corpus Christi has helped replenish lake levels and green up neighborhoods, but it\u2019s also creating ideal conditions for an unwelcome summer visitor: mosquitoes.<\/p>\n
Officials with the City of Corpus Christi’s Vector Control said residents should expect increased mosquito activity in the coming weeks as standing water left behind by recent rains creates new breeding grounds across the city.<\/p>\n
Whether taking a morning walk, visiting local parks, or spending time outdoors with family, many residents are already noticing the surge.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’ve been needing the rain and stuff, but I hate the aftermath of dealing with all of the mosquitoes,\u201d said resident Priscilla Villegas, who was spending time outdoors with her two younger siblings at Lakeview Park. They were rescuing a turtle who had gone of out the lake and toward the road.<\/p>\n
Corpus Christi and Nueces County Vector Control crews are continuing efforts to stay ahead of the mosquito population by monitoring activity and spraying neighborhoods throughout the city.<\/p>\n
Crews regularly inspect standing water areas to collect data on mosquito larvae, a key sign of breeding activity, while treatment teams follow behind applying spray treatments where needed.<\/p>\n
Dr. Eric Baggerman, CEO and pediatrician at Amistad Health, told 3NEWS how community members should treat bites.<\/p>\n
“If it\u2019s itching and you take an oral antihistamine for a bunch of itchy bites, you can do topical Benadryl, but it\u2019s less helpful than taking it orally,” Baggerman explained. “And then a topical over the counter steroid cream can help, especially from biting.”<\/p>\n
Experts also remind pet owners to take extra precautions, especially when it comes to heartworm prevention.<\/p>\n
“So the biggest thing in pets is heartworm, right? So mosquitoes bite our pets like they bite us,” Baggerman said. “You don’t use the same insect repellents that we use on adults or children as we do on our pets, but there are pet-approved mosquito repellents.”<\/p>\n