Weeds and Mosquitos Surge in Lubbock Amid Storms and Scorching Heat

Since there have been heavy storms and it is very hot this week, city officials in Lubbock are telling people that there will be more weeds and mosquitoes. 

To help keep mosquito populations from growing too large, the City of Lubbock's Code Enforcement and Vector Control teams are asking people to clean up ditches, cut down weeds, and get rid of any standing water.

According to Steven Boston of Vector Control, mosquitoes can still live on those green weeds in your backyard or alley that are a foot or two tall. "Taking away water and drying things out breaks the cycle of mosquitoes."

Atlanta, Georgia's Boston said that Lubbock County has seen 27 kinds of mosquitoes, with 10 main species coming back every year. Some are just a bother, but others carry diseases that are very dangerous to your health.

Carolyn Johnson, who lives there, knows that risk all too well. "They bit me last year, and I was in the hospital for a week," she said. Now she wants her friends to do something. She told them, "People need to take care of their land."

The storms and recent rain made it easy for animals to breed, and this week's extreme heat is making things even better. Stuart Walker from Code Enforcement said, "Tall weeds and trash are a home for disease-carrying animals, including mosquitoes and other bugs and animals."

The city keeps an eye on mosquito behavior with special traps. Boston said, "They use an incandescent bulb and a fan to catch flying bugs overnight." To keep track of mosquito trends, the bugs are frozen and recorded.

People can call 3-1-1 or use the MyLubbock app to ask for mosquito spraying in a park or neighborhood.

"It makes a difference when everyone does their part," Boston said. Help stop the spread by pulling out the weeds and draining the water.

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