The weather is starting to heat up, and thousands of people will be enjoying the outdoors this holiday weekend. The City of Arlington is testing mosquito samples for any sign of West Nile Virus as we head toward summer. We caught up with our Environmental Services Manager, Barbara Martindale, to find out what the City is doing to monitor for signs of WNV and what you can do to protect yourself.

What is the City of Arlington doing to prepare for WNV this season?

Barbara: The City has both staff and a professional contractor with experience in trapping and larviciding of potential WNV infected mosquitoes. Our contractor also has the ability to take additional steps in eliminating mosquitoes at the adult level, also known as adulticide.

What is the testing procedure?

Barbara: Twice a week, mosquitoes are trapped and taken to a lab for testing. The mosquitoes from each trap are counted, frozen and chemically tested to see if they are WNV or Saint Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) carriers. So far, all pools tested in Arlington have been negative, which is normal for this time of year.

Even if test results are negative, should residents still be careful?

Barbara: Residents should still be careful, by eliminating or treating all standing water on their property. Even small amounts of water provide an ideal breeding spot for mosquitoes. Always use mosquito repellant when spending time outside, day or night. Repellants with DEET are the most effective against mosquitoes. If you are allergic to DEET, check with your doctor or go to the CDC website for a list of alternative products. Avoid outside activities from dusk to dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.

How long does this WNV season last?

Barbara: I think most people would agree that weather patterns appear to be changing. The season has traditionally been from May 1^st until the end of August, but I would place the season from late March until the end of October.

Please click here to learn more about WNV and how you can protect yourself.

Make sure your yard is free from any source which could become a habitat for mosquito larvae. This would include: Tires, bird baths, containers, rain gutters, and unused swimming pools. Empty standing water in old tires, cemetery urns, buckets, plastic covers, toys, or any other container. The water that stands in old tire piles is the ideal site for mosquito breeding. No matter how a tire sits on the ground it is always capable of collecting rain water. Empty and change the water in bird baths, fountains, wading pools, rain barrels, and potted plant trays at least once a week. Drain or fill temporary pools with dirt. Keep swimming pools treated and circulating, and keep rain gutters unclogged.