There are certain signs that spring and summer are near in the state of Texas; the flowers begin blooming, birds are chirping, and then the worst sign of them all: the world's deadliest animal returns.

Mosquitoes are beginning to become active in Texas, and it can be such a nuisance. Not just because these creatures are super annoying but because of the harm that they can cause!

According to the CDC, mosquitos are the world's deadliest creatures. They spread diseases like malaria, dengue, West Nile, yellow fever, Zika, chikungunya, and lymphatic filariasis; the mosquito kills more people than any other creature in the world!

According to a report, Texas is second in the country for the worst case of mosquitoes (Florida is number one by the way). It's something that we all have to be vigilant about and something that we all have to deal with -- especially when the heavy rains hit the Lone Star state during the spring and summer months when experts say mosquito activity is heightened.

Experts say that mosquito season can last a long nine months, and in Texas activity is most active from May to late November. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to avoid becoming mosquito bait!

One thing you can do to avoid mosquitos is to change your shirt! Research has shown that mosquitoes are more attracted to darker colors, such as black and navy blue, as well as bright colors like orange and especially red.

Isn't that kind of crazy? You can read an in-depth explanation as to why mosquitos are mainly attracted to these colors here. On the flip side, wearing lighter colors such as white, beige, or light pastels can make you less visible to mosquitoes. This is because lighter colors reflect more light and blend in more with the environment, making it harder for mosquitoes to see you.

So, if you’re trying to avoid mosquito bites, it's best to opt for lighter-colored clothing.

What else can you do to keep mosquitoes away?

The CDC recommends using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents with one of these active ingredients:

• DEET
• Picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the US)
• IR3535
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
• Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone

The CDC also recommends you take steps to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors such as using screens on windows and doors and preventing mosquitoes from laying eggs in or near water. Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots, or trash containers.

To find out more, click here.