Pest activity in New Caney

July 2026 brought 7.66 inches of rain to New Caney — up 20% from July 2025’s 6.39 inches and among the highest monthly totals in our service territory this month. The defining event was July 14, when 3.15 inches fell in a single day across the East Fork San Jacinto River valley. The East Fork, which runs through the heart of the New Caney service area, went above its banks in sections and left extended standing water in floodplain areas bordering Roman Forest, Valley Ranch, and the US 59 corridor communities for nearly a week. It was the most concentrated mosquito breeding surge we’ve tracked in New Caney all year.

Mosquito treatment requests spiked sharply in the 8–10 days following the July 14 flooding event. New Caney’s East Fork San Jacinto floodplain creates mosquito breeding conditions that extend well beyond the immediate river banks — low-lying neighborhoods within a quarter mile of the river can see standing water persist in swales and yard low spots for 5–7 days after a major event, providing multiple breeding generations from a single storm. At 92°F average highs and 79% humidity, a mosquito egg laid in that water could produce a biting adult in under 7 days. We completed 16 mosquito barrier treatments in the New Caney area in July.

New Caney’s active construction boom along the US 59 corridor and Valley Ranch expansion area continues to displace fire ant colonies and rodent populations into adjacent established neighborhoods at above-average rates. Disturbed soil from new pads, drainage rerouting, and utility trenching creates fire ant relocation events that persist until construction activity stabilizes. Rodent calls in New Caney have tracked upward steadily in 2026 as build-out displaces populations from undeveloped land.

Fire ants rebuilt aggressively after the July 14 flooding, with mound counts elevated throughout Roman Forest and Valley Ranch in the post-storm period. The 92°F average high drove cockroaches indoors consistently through the second half of the month. General pest control accounted for 40 of our 63 July stops in the New Caney area.

• Mosquito pressure near the East Fork San Jacinto River and floodplain areas will remain elevated through August — schedule barrier treatments every 3 weeks and inspect low-lying yard areas and swales within 48 hours of any rain event
• Rodent pressure from adjacent construction sites is at its highest in late summer — inspect crawl spaces, attic vents, and garage door seals in neighborhoods bordering Valley Ranch and US 59 corridor development
• Fire ant mounds continue rebuilding rapidly after flooding; inspect along driveways, foundation perimeters, and near play equipment — mound density is highest within 72 hours of significant rain
• Termite swarm season extends through August — homes over 20 years old in Roman Forest and established New Caney sections should schedule an inspection before fall
• Wasp and yellow jacket nest activity peaks through August and September — check under eaves, in landscape shrubs, and around outdoor HVAC units before any outdoor gatherings