Arlington's Bugged Too, Joins Dallas In West Nile Virus Spraying

DALLAS, TX —The city of Arlington has confirmed two positive West Nile Virus mosquito samples. As a result, the city will conduct targeted ground spraying in the following locations:

• Saddle Ridge Road at Yacht Club Drive
• Mansfield Webb Road at Ballweg Road

Additionally, the Town of Pantego has confirmed one positive West Nile Virus (WNV) mosquito sample in an area that borders Arlington. Even though the positive trap location was in Pantego, the CDC-recommended targeted ground spraying distance from the trap location will include a portion of the City of Arlington.

• Miller Lane at South Bowen Road

Targeted ground spraying will occur following the city of Arlington Health Authority, Tarrant County Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations —spraying only in areas with a confirmed presence of the virus.

Contractors will conduct two consecutive nights of targeted ground spraying between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sept. 1, weather permitting. This targeted ground spraying schedule is intended to reduce the known virus-infected adult mosquito population as quickly as possible.

Arlington's contractor 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.

The city has conducted routine trapping and deployed larvicide in strategic locations throughout Arlington since the beginning of mosquito season. Crews have also surveyed low-lying areas for standing water, which are potential mosquito breeding grounds.

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Arlington also partners with Tarrant County Public Health to educate the public on simple measures they should take while enjoying the outdoors to prevent mosquito bites:

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

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

• 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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