Three evenings of aerial spraying to combat mosquitoes

The first rule of warfare is know your enemy. In this case, little whining biting little literal buggers -- mosquitoes. They're bad and getting worse and that's why Samara Reyna brought her daughters Raven and Kira to get bug spray from a Harris County Public Health mobile unit set up in Pasadena.

"She's a mosquito magnet," said Reyna. "She took after me, unfortunately."

Roughly seven-to-ten days after mosquitos lay their eggs, they hatch, so aerial spraying is about to begin.with U.S. Air Force cargo planes spraying an insecticide over the span of three evenings. Although the insecticide is banned in Europe, it is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Umair Shah says it is safe if used appropriately.

"Out of an abundance of caution, if you want to be indoors at that time, that's fine," explains Dr. Shah. "That's your decision and we're certainly not going to fault you, however, to the vast majority of our community, is there a health risk? No."

The health department has warned beekeepers to cover their hives.

Why use planes? They have 600,000 acres to treat before the eggs hatch and this is the fastest and most efficient way to reach wooded areas. The clock is ticking. The enemy is coming.

"I hope it is for the better," added Reyna. "I hope it kills whatever is lurking in the water."