Springtime brings more than warm, wet weather to North Texas. It also kicks off the start of mosquito season and the City of Arlington is working to help residents and visitors Be Mosquito Free.
The most effective strategy focuses on keeping down the mosquito population. From April through November, the City of Arlington traps mosquitos to be tested by Tarrant County Public Health for the West Nile and St. Louis Encephalitis Viruses. If a trapped mosquito tests 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.
Again this year, the City will conduct targeted ground spraying over a two-day period at night between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., weather permitting and only when a positive trap is identified. This targeted ground spraying schedule is intended to knock down 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 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 City of Arlington Public 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.
West Nile Virus, Emergency Preparedness
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