After living in Texas for a few years, one thing you have to adapt to besides the weather is the bugs.

In Korea, there are mosquitoes in the summer, but in Texas, the heat lasts longer, which means the battle with bugs lasts longer too.

Irving is no exception. Especially from summer to early fall, you shouldn't think of mosquitoes as just annoying pests.

The city of Irving collaborates with Dallas County and Texas health authorities to continuously monitor mosquito populations and the presence of West Nile virus. In fact, if infected mosquitoes are found, pest control measures may be implemented in certain areas. So, the city isn't being overly cautious about mosquitoes.

In addition to the common House Mosquito, there are also species like the Asian Tiger Mosquito around Irving. The Asian Tiger Mosquito, which has white stripes on its body, actively bites people even during the day. If you think, "I just need to be careful in the evening," you might end up with several bites on your legs after a trip to the park during the day.

The disease you need to be most concerned about is West Nile virus. In North Texas, there are almost annual alerts or reports of infected mosquitoes during the summer. Most infected individuals show no symptoms or have mild cases, but some can experience high fever or neurological complications, so it's especially important for the elderly to be cautious.

It's not just mosquitoes. When walking or biking in green spaces like Campion Trail or near rivers, you can also be exposed to ticks. In Texas, ticks can transmit several diseases, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Lyme disease is also well-known, but the risk of occurrence in Texas is much lower compared to some areas in the northeastern and midwestern United States. However, that doesn't mean you can ignore ticks.

I think it's good to remember this one thing when exercising in parks. Avoid entering areas with thick grass and try to walk in the center of the trail if possible. After returning home, check areas like your legs, ankles, and waist where ticks are likely to attach. If you've taken your dog out, don't just check yourself; also check your dog's fur.

Fleas are also a headache for households with pets. Once they start coming into the house, it doesn't just end with a few bites; you have to manage carpets and bedding, which makes it a bigger issue. This is why regular flea and tick prevention for pets is important.

Surprisingly, mosquito prevention is quite simple. One common recommendation in Irving is the so-called 4D. Be cautious during the active times of dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active, and Dress means to reduce skin exposure by wearing long sleeves and long pants. Finally, properly use EPA-registered repellents like DEET.

And you should take a look around your home. Items like plant saucers, buckets, toys, and drains that can hold even a little water create a good breeding environment for mosquitoes. Just emptying standing water every few days can help.

While you can't completely avoid bugs during the summer in Texas, you also don't need to give up outdoor activities because of one mosquito. Just getting into the habit of applying repellent, eliminating standing water, and checking your body after visiting the park is enough. It may seem trivial, but these habits can make Irving's long summer much more comfortable.