Warm weather brings more evenings on patios, trips to neighborhood parks and time spent outdoors across Travis County. It also creates favorable conditions for mosquitoes, prompting local health officials to remind residents that a few simple precautions can help protect entire neighborhoods from mosquito-borne illnesses.

Mosquitoes in Central Texas can transmit West Nile virus, Zika, dengue and encephalitis. They can also spread canine heartworm, making mosquito prevention important for both people and pets.

Although Austin Public Health had not identified any mosquito pools positive for vector-borne viruses as of its latest update, officials are asking residents to remain alert throughout the warmer months. The agency began its 2026 mosquito surveillance program on May 4 and continues to test mosquito populations for disease.

Why Mosquito Prevention Matters in Travis County

Most mosquito bites are little more than an itchy nuisance, but infected mosquitoes can occasionally transmit illnesses that lead to serious health complications.

West Nile virus, one of the primary mosquito-borne illnesses monitored in Central Texas, can cause encephalitis or meningitis in severe cases. Other mosquito-transmitted viruses can also create significant health risks, including complications during pregnancy.

Preventing mosquito bites and reducing breeding areas around homes can lower the likelihood of mosquitoes spreading from one yard to another.

For residents, that means mosquito control is not only a personal health measure. It is also a neighborhood responsibility.

Follow the Four Ds of Mosquito Protection

Austin Public Health recommends residents remember four basic steps: dusk and dawn, drain, dress and defend.

Limit Exposure at Dusk and Dawn

Different mosquito species are active at different times of day, but mosquitoes that commonly spread West Nile virus are most active between dusk and dawn.

Residents spending time outdoors during those hours should take additional precautions, including wearing protective clothing and using insect repellent.

Drain Standing Water Every Week

Mosquitoes can breed in small amounts of standing water, including water collected in common household and yard items.

Residents should check their properties weekly and empty water from:

• Pet water bowls
• Old tires
• Buckets and containers
• Children’s toys
• Birdbaths
• Flowerpot saucers
• Trash containers
• Rain barrels
• Clogged rain gutters
• Wading pools and planters

Regularly draining these areas can interrupt the mosquito life cycle before adult mosquitoes emerge.

Dress to Reduce Mosquito Bites

Long sleeves and pants can provide an additional layer of protection when mosquitoes are active. Light-colored, loose-fitting clothing is recommended, and mosquito-repellent clothing is also available.

Defend With EPA-Registered Insect Repellent

Health officials recommend using insect repellents registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and applying them according to label instructions.

EPA-registered repellents are considered safe and effective when used as directed, including for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Approved active ingredients may include:

• DEET
• Picaridin, also known as KBR 3023 or icaridin
• IR3535
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus
• Para-menthane-diol
• 2-undecanone

Residents can use the EPA’s online repellent search tool to identify an option that fits their needs.

How to Report Mosquito Problems in Austin and Travis County

Austin Public Health monitors mosquito populations, investigates potential breeding areas and takes risk-reduction measures when problems are identified.

Residents who notice unusually heavy mosquito activity, standing water or drainage problems can submit a report through Austin 3-1-1.

Community reports help public health staff identify problem areas that may not otherwise be visible during routine surveillance. Those reports can also guide inspections and mosquito-control efforts in affected neighborhoods.

What Austin Public Health Is Monitoring in 2026

Austin Public Health conducts seasonal mosquito surveillance and tests mosquito samples for West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases.

Any positive findings are shared with the public, including preliminary results that may still be awaiting confirmation from the Texas Department of State Health Services.

While no positive mosquito pools had been reported in Austin at the time of the agency’s update, mosquito activity can change throughout the season. Continued testing, household prevention and neighborhood reporting remain important as temperatures stay warm.

Small Actions Can Help Protect the Whole Neighborhood

A single water-filled container can become a mosquito breeding site, which means prevention often begins with routine tasks close to home.

Emptying a birdbath, clearing a clogged gutter or applying insect repellent before an evening walk may seem minor, but those steps collectively help reduce risk for families, older adults, children, pets and neighbors throughout Travis County.

Residents who need assistance from Austin Public Health Environmental Health Services can call 512-978-0300 between 7:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday or email ehsd.service@austintexas.gov.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for additional Austin and Travis County public health updates throughout mosquito season.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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