Beekeepers: Mosquito spraying killing honeybees in Brazoria County

BRAZORIA COUNTY, TX (KTRK) -- Some beekeepers in Brazoria County claim the county's action is costing them huge.

They told Eyewitness News the aerial spraying by mosquito control is killing off their hives. With the recent scare over the growing number of West Nile cases in the Houston area, many communities have taken to the skies to battle the mosquito.

The president of the Brazoria County Beekeepers Association, Kenneth Nugent, said he understands the need for spraying. However, Nugent and others are upset with the time of day. They argued early-morning aerial spraying is the worst possible time and said the effects could be devastating if it continues any longer

"Spray for the mosquitos when they are out which is mainly at night," said Nugent.

We reached out to Brazoria County Mosquito Control but it wouldn't offer us specifics about when and why they take to the skies. We spoke with Director Jim Ryan. He said he couldn't comment about the spraying until county leaders signed off on our request. Our calls him to Friday afternoon were not returned.

Officials with Harris County said they spray at night, targeting the nocturnal species most know to carry the West Nile virus.