Extra rain from the Pacific weather phenomenon that has pounded California also translates into prime breeding ground in Texas for insects such as fleas, ticks and mosquitoes along with more vegetation where rodents forage. Ms. Rawlins said Tuesday. Fleas love water and humidity. Although no reports of any hantavirus or mosquito-born encephalitis have surfaced so far this year, Ms. Rawlins noted that those kinds of epidemics usually don't occur until later on in the summer.
Entomologists expect the mosquito population to flourish in late summer.
A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration report shows that there's been too much rain across much of the country. Beginning last year, almost every part of Texas has received precipitation at or above average levels. Fleas, which pose a threat now, are a bit easier to guard against than mosquitoes, say some experts. New developments in products that eradicate fleas have had a significant impact on flea populations, veterinarian Tom Nelson said.