Thursday, March 28, 2024

Mosquitoes Haven’t Been a Big Problem This Summer in Southlake

You may have heard that several cities in the Metroplex have begun spraying for mosquitoes. And, you may be asking yourself, why isn’t Southlake spraying or wondering when they are going to spray?

Cities like Grapevine who have implemented a spraying program have done so because they have seen positive results when trapped mosquitoes are tested for the presence of the West Nile Virus. To date, Southlake has not experienced a positive result on mosquitoes tested. In addition, Southlake is not experiencing any growth trends in mosquito population.

Many cities in the North Texas area have taken a proactive approach to controlling mosquitoes and protecting the public from harm. Southlake has set mosquito traps in several locations throughout the city. Five of these traps are stationary while one trap is deployed in various locations around the city based upon complaints or concerns expressed by staff or the general public. Mosquitoes from all of these traps are collected by city staff, counted and then tested by a laboratory for the presence of the West Nile Virus.

Spraying otherwise known as adulticiding should not be the first line of defense against mosquitoes. For a number of years now health authorities have agreed that spraying is a less effective means of protection against the mosquito-borne illness. Yet, if the problem progresses and there is a need for mitigation beyond surveillance and larviciding, then spraying is in order. The City of Southlake West Nile Virus Response Plan indicates that the city will implement spraying when the mosquito population escalates or a positive result is experienced from the mosquitoes tested.

Mosquito control is best performed using an Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) concept. IMM develops pest management systems that are practical and effective to protect human health as well as the environment. By adopting the West Nile Virus Action Plan on May 7, 2013, the city has incorporated the IMM system into city operations.

An IMM program, endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and the Environmental Protection Agency uses a comprehensive list of actions, including public education; mosquito sampling and disease monitoring; source reduction; larviciding; and, when indicated by surveillance or monitoring, the use of adulticides to reduce the mosquito population.

Staff continues to inspect public property to reduce, eliminate, or treat public sites and encourages the public to remain vigilant on private property. The public’s vigilance is a critical partner in reducing mosquito populations, and subsequently, the best defense against the spread of the virus.

Anything that can hold water for just a few days can become a mosquito breeding ground. Continue to check your property for standing water. In addition to checking small containers, house gutters and French drains, staff encourages you to check for areas such as your water meter box, any tree holes, blocked irrigation heads, gutter drains and other underground pipes, pool overflow pipes, storm drains for the presence of standing water.

And don’t forget to use insect repellent whenever you are outside where mosquitoes may be present. For more information on what Southlake is doing in the area of mosquito surveillance and control, please see www.CityofSouthlake.com/WestNileVirus

 

Denton County Releases Aerial Spraying Results

September 19, 2012 –  Several of the communities with the highest incidence rates in Denton County experienced the most dramatic reductions in mosquitoes as a result of aerial spraying. Spraying was conducted by state contractor Clarke in portions of Denton County from August 31 to September 2. The full report can be found here.

The number of new cases of West Nile virus has decreased substantially since aerial spraying; however, it is premature to conclude that these results are solely attributable to aerial spraying. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will release a comprehensive regional report on this year’s West Nile virus season in the fall.

It is important to remember that aerial spraying is one piece of a WNV control program. Ground spraying, larviciding, education, and personal protection are also vital aspects to prevention of this illness, and must continue throughout the remainder of West Nile virus season. Please visit the DCHD West Nile virus website (www.dentoncounty.com/heart/wnv), or call the West Nile virus hotline (940-349-2907) for more details about symptoms, prevention tips, county-wide  contacts, reducing mosquitoes around your home, and disease statistics.

Aerial Mosquito Spraying Round Two Tonight

UPDATE 9/2: The first round of aerial spraying was completed on Saturday night. Weather permitting, the second application is scheduled to take place tonight (Sunday, September 2nd) between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.

UPDATE 9/1: Due to adverse wind conditions, no portion of the City of Southlake was covered during last night’s aerial spraying. Weather permitting, aerial spraying is now scheduled to take place tonight (Saturday, September 1st) and tomorrow night (Sunday, September 2nd) between the hours of 9:00 PM and 2:00 AM.

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Tonight (8/31), starting promptly at 9:00 p.m., the City of Southlake will participate in the Denton County aerial spraying program.  The spraying will take place Friday and Saturday nights (8/31 and 9/1)  between the hours of 9:00 pm to 2:00 am.

Over the last several days the City has been working with Denton County, Southlake residents, businesses, Carroll ISD, Keller ISD to get the word out about the program’s dates and times.

In anticipation of the spraying Denton County Health Department issued tips to help minimize spray exposure:

  • Avoid being outside during spraying; close windows and keep pets inside.
  • If skin or clothes are exposed, wash them with soap and water.
  • Rinse homegrown fruits and vegetables with water as a general precautionary measure.
  • Cover small ornamental fish ponds.
  • Because the chemical breaks down quickly in sunlight and water, no special precautions are suggested for outdoor swimming areas.

All City parks, fields and open spaces will close at 8:30 p.m. tonight and tomorrow night due to the spraying.  The Denton County Health Department has also recommended that restaurants with patio seating close those outdoor sections on Friday and Saturday nights.

Please visit the City’s West Nile Virus website www.CityofSouthlake.com/WestNileVirus  or call the Denton County West Nile virus hotline (940-349-2907) for more information.

City Council to Hold Special Meeting to Consider Aerial Spraying

UPDATE:  The Southlake City Council  has voted to participate in the Denton County aerial mosquito spraying program.  Look for further updates tomorrow on My Southlake News and CityofSouthlake.com.

The Southlake City Council will hold a special meeting and public hearing at 5:00 p.m., Monday, August 27th to consider participation in the Denton County aerial mosquito spraying program.  The action is being considered in response to Denton County’s West Nile Virus Health Emergency and as a way to help eradicate the mosquito population.

The option was made available to Southlake since the City straddles both Tarrant and Denton Counties.

Staff from the Denton County Health Department as well as the City of Southlake will be presenting information for the Council’s and the public’s consideration.  The public is invited to speak at the public hearing.

For more information, about aerial spraying and the West Nile Virus, please go to www.CityofSouthlake.com/WestNileVirus.