The mosquito sprays are already on the aisle corner at Bering's Hardware in West University and there are willing buyers.
"On the outside of my door, as I go into my house, the mosquitoes are just ready to run or fly into the house," said Barbara Crook, who was buying mosquito spray Friday.
West University Place was scheduled to launch its first mosquito spraying of the year Friday night, about two months earlier than last year.
"Last year, we started later, but we sprayed later into November," said Dave Beach with West University Public Works. "Normally we stop at the end of October. It depends on your weather conditions and that's what leads to your mosquitoes."
West U. consists of only 2.2 square miles. Harris County, tens of thousands. So its spraying operation is driven by the presence of West Nile Virus, among others in mosquito traps.
So far, none have tested positive, but the mosquito season is getting off to an early start. In truth, with a mild winter, it never really ended.
"Right now, we're having a tremendous amount of mosquito population due to flood water and backwater conditions, and until everything dries out, we're going to have mosquito problems," said Dr. Jim Bennett with Harris County Mosquito Control.
Harris County doesn't spray for pest mosquitos. Ft. Bend County hasn't started its mosquito spraying. Brazoria County has.
