Texas mosquito season has never been something to take lightly — but 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most serious years in recent memory. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has already confirmed the state’s first human case of West Nile neuroinvasive disease for the year, and health officials are urging Texans across the state to take mosquito protection seriously right now.
If you live in New Braunfels, Seguin, San Marcos, or anywhere in Comal County, here’s what you need to know — and what you can do today to protect your family.
What Is West Nile Virus and How Does It Spread?
West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of infected Culex mosquitoes. These mosquitoes pick up the virus by feeding on infected birds, and then pass it along when they bite people or other animals. The virus does not spread from person to person.
Here’s the part that makes West Nile particularly dangerous: most people who are infected never know it. About 80% of those infected show no symptoms at all. That means mosquitoes can silently spread the virus throughout a community before anyone realizes an outbreak is underway.
Of the people who do develop symptoms, the majority experience West Nile fever — a relatively mild illness marked by fever, headache, body aches, nausea, and fatigue. A small fraction, typically less than 1%, develop West Nile neuroinvasive disease, a severe neurological illness that can cause tremors, convulsions, paralysis, and in some cases, death. Older adults and those with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk for severe outcomes, though it can affect anyone.
There is currently no vaccine against West Nile virus.
Why 2026 Is a High-Risk Year in Texas
Texas has recorded West Nile cases every year for more than two decades, but several factors are making 2026 an especially active season. The DSHS confirmed the first neuroinvasive human case in May — earlier in the season than many years — and health officials are already on high alert.
Recent heavy rainfall across Central Texas has made the situation worse. Mosquitoes breed in standing water, and after a storm, it takes only 7 to 10 days for eggs to develop into biting adults. That means every rain event is effectively a recruitment drive for the local mosquito population.
New Braunfels and the surrounding communities sit in one of the most active mosquito corridors in the state. The Guadalupe River, the Comal River, and the area’s general topography create consistent moisture and shade — ideal conditions for mosquito breeding and resting throughout the warm months.
Over the last five years, Texas has recorded 976 total West Nile cases, resulting in more than 100 deaths statewide. This is not a background statistic. It is a health risk that affects real communities — including ours.
Mosquito Breeding Spots You Might Be Missing
One of the most effective ways to reduce mosquito populations around your home is to eliminate the places where they breed. The problem is that many of the most productive breeding sites are easy to overlook.
Mosquitoes do not need a pond or a creek to reproduce. A single female can lay hundreds of eggs in a container the size of a bottle cap. Walk your property with that in mind and look for:
- Clogged gutters holding rainwater
- Flowerpots and their saucers
- Birdbaths that are not changed weekly
- Kiddie pools left partially filled
- Dog bowls left outdoors
- Old tires, buckets, or tarps collecting water
- Low spots in the lawn that pool after rain
- Toys, wagons, or outdoor equipment with water collection points
It is also worth keeping your neighbor’s situation in mind. Mosquitoes do not respect property lines. If a neighboring property has unmaintained standing water — an abandoned pool, overgrown ditches, or debris — it can fuel the mosquito population that ends up biting you.
What You Can Do Right Now
You do not need to wait for a professional to start reducing mosquito pressure around your home. Take these steps immediately:
Dump standing water at least once a week. This single action eliminates the breeding cycle before it starts. Be thorough — check everywhere water collects.
Repair window and door screens. Culex mosquitoes, the primary West Nile carriers, are most active between dusk and dawn. A torn screen is an open invitation indoors.
Dress for dusk. When you are outside during peak mosquito hours — roughly an hour before sunset through an hour after sunrise — wear long sleeves and pants. Light-colored, loose-fitting clothing is preferable.
Use an EPA-registered repellent. Products containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus are proven effective. Apply to both exposed skin and clothing according to label directions.
Schedule a professional mosquito yard treatment. When standing water cannot be fully eliminated — near drainage areas, natural water features, or properties adjacent to the river corridor — a professional barrier spray program provides the most reliable ongoing protection.
Protect Your Family This Summer
The good news is that West Nile virus is preventable. With the right combination of backyard maintenance and professional mosquito control, you can significantly reduce your family’s exposure risk, even during a high-activity season like 2026.
Camo Pest Control provides mosquito control services throughout New Braunfels, Seguin, San Marcos, and surrounding Comal County communities. Our licensed technicians assess your property, treat resting and breeding areas, and set up a recurring program to keep mosquito populations suppressed all season long.
Do not wait until after the bite. Call Camo Pest Control for pest control in New Braunfels today to schedule your mosquito yard assessment. You can also learn more about our mosquito control services in New Braunfels or read about the professional treatment options we offer.
