Protect Yourself from West Nile Virus and Other Mosquito-Borne Illnesses
By Office of Communication
Posted on August 10, 2020, August 10, 2020

The City of Arlington encourages residents to identify, reduce and treat mosquito breeding sites around their property and follow recommendations to protect themselves from mosquito bites when enjoying the outdoors this summer.

Prevention is the best defense against mosquito-borne illnesses, such as West Nile Virus. The City of Arlington encourages residents to identify, reduce and treat mosquito breeding sites around their property and follow recommendations to protect themselves from mosquito bites when enjoying the outdoors this summer.

From April through November, the City of Arlington traps mosquitoes to be tested by Tarrant County Public Health for the West Nile and St. Louis Encephalitis Viruses. If trapped mosquitoes test positive, the City's vector control contractor conducts targeted ground spraying within a half-mile radius of the trap site over two consecutive nights. Arlington also surveys low-lying areas for standing water and deploys larvicide at strategic locations to prevent mosquito larva from developing.
Arlington’s targeted ground spraying schedule, which is between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays this year, is intended to reduce the known virus-infected adult mosquito population as quickly as possible before the weekend when individuals and families are more likely to be outdoors. The schedule may be altered due to inclement weather or holidays.

The City uses an ultra-low volume application of a water-based permethrin product, in specific areas where deploying larvicide and other measures have not proven effective. These mosquito control efforts align with the City of Arlington Health Authority, Tarrant County Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations.

The City of Arlington also partners with Tarrant County Public Health to educate the public on simple measures they should take to prevent potentially dangerous mosquito bites.

• DEET is an ingredient to look for in your insect repellent. Follow label instructions, and always wear repellent when outdoors.

• Dress in long sleeves and pants when you're outside. For extra protection, you may want to spray thin clothing with repellent.

• Drain standing water in your yard and neighborhood where mosquitoes can breed. This includes old tires, flowerpots, clogged rain gutters, etc. Mosquitoes may develop in any water stagnant for more than three or four days. For shallow standing water that cannot be eliminated, check regularly for the presence of mosquito larvae and if seen, apply a biological larvicide often referred to as "mosquito dunks," available at local hardware stores.

What do I need to do to prepare for targeted ground spraying?

No specific risks to animals or the environment are expected, and no special precautions are required. People who are concerned about exposure to a pesticide, such as those with chemical sensitivity or breathing conditions such as asthma can reduce their potential for exposure by staying indoors during the application period (typically nighttime). Once the pesticide product dissipates, it breaks down in the environment and produces little residual effect.

For more information about the targeted ground spraying, please call the City of Arlington's Action Center at 817-459-6777. Download the City's free Ask Arlington app today to receive notifications about targeted ground spraying or to report standing water or mosquito infestations on private property.

Click here to learn more facts about West Nile Virus and other mosquito borne illness and how to prevent mosquito breeding sites.


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