Tuesday, March 19, 2024

City to Spray for Mosquitos after Four Traps Test Positive for WNV

The City of Southlake has received notice from Tarrant County Public Health that four mosquito trap samples in Southlake have tested positive for West Nile Virus.

The City of Southlake will conduct targeted ground spraying after Tarrant County Public Health Department confirmed four positive West Nile virus mosquito samples.

Contractors will conduct three (3) consecutive nights of targeted ground spraying in the areas near 2200 Block Shady Oaks Drive, 3200 Block of Woodland Drive, 700 Block of Ashleigh Lane and the 100 Block of Meadowlark Lane on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., weather permitting. Gated areas are to be left open if possible for contractor access.

Targeted ground spraying will occur in areas with a confirmed presence of the virus per the City of Southlake, Tarrant County Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations.

The City of Southlake’s contractor will use an ultra-low volume application of a water-based permethrin product in areas where larvicide and other measures have not been effective.

How to Protect Yourself From Mosquito Bites

  • Dress in long sleeves, pants when outside: For extra protection, spray thin clothing with repellent.
  • DEET: Make sure this ingredient is in your insect repellent.
  • Drain standing water in your yard and neighborhood: Mosquitoes can develop in any water stagnant for more than three days.

It has been recommended in the past that to avoid mosquito bites you should avoid being outdoors during Dusk and Dawn (the 4 Ds). While this is true for mosquitoes that commonly carry the West Nile virus, other types of mosquitoes that are more likely to carry Zika, dengue and chikungunya are active during the day. When outdoors, no matter what time of day, adjust your dress accordingly and wear insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus as your first line of defense against insect bites.

If you have any questions or would like to report an area that is a concern for possible mosquito breeding, please contact the Office of Emergency Management.  You can report via this online link or call Emergency Manager, Amanda Meneses, 817-748-8903.

 

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