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Officials encourage people to protect themselves from mosquito bites by using bug spray. Harris County Public Health confirmed bug spray is one of the best ways to keep mosquitoes away as warmer weather arrives.

Local health officials say warmer weather means cookouts, swimming, and other outdoor activities, but also means a lot more mosquitoes.

Barbie Robinson is the Harris County Health Executive Director and said the Houston-area has the perfect conditions for a higher risk of mosquito-borne illnesses in humans and animals.

"We're prone to hurricanes, tropical storms, and wet conditions, as well as hot weather," she said. "And these types of conditions lead to an increase in mosquito problems in populations."

Robinson said mosquitos are considered the most dangerous insects in the world because of the way they can spread disease. The West Nile or Zika virus are examples of viruses most prominent in hot and humid areas like Houston.

Other officials warn that this year will likely see more mosquito problems than the last. County Mosquito Control Director Max Vigilant said Houston has seen a fluctuation in mosquito populations for the past few years.

"Usually, when we see this pattern, it's always like a two-year increase," he said. "So I'm looking at 2023, where our numbers may be higher than what 2022 presented to us."

Last year, five cases of mosquito-borne viruses were reported in Harris County. Of the five, one man in his 80s died form the West Nile Virus.

Health officials provided various ways residents can reduce mosquito activity around their homes and avoid mosquito-borne illnesses.

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Ways to reduce mosquito activity around your home Houston ... - Houston Public Media