Mosquito Spraying Information West Nile Virus

The City of Terrell sprays for mosquitoes on a monthly basis throughout the summer months. Most mosquito spraying is conducted between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. when most residents are inside. The City currently uses a chemical called Control 30-30 with 40% DEET to control the mosquito population. Control 30-30 is not harmful to humans or the environment and does not immediately kill the mosquito, but causes the male mosquito to become sterile and unable to reproduce.

You can help do your part to help control the mosquito population by doing the following:

Preventing Bites:

• Stay indoors when mosquitoes are active, at dusk and dawn.
  
• Wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants when outdoors.
  
• Apply insect repellent containing at least 35% DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) sparingly to exposed skin and clothing.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home:

• Scour the yard for containers that hold water: tin cans, pet dishes, plastic pails, ceramic pots and items that collect water, such as stored boats, pool covers, used tires or tire swings, trash cans or swimming pools that are drained yet still hold some water.
  
• Change water frequently in birdbaths, fountains, horse troughs and children's wading pools.
  
• Make sure roof gutters drain properly. Clean clogged gutters and drain flat roofs.
  
• Repair leaky pipes and outside faucets. Dripping water from air conditioners also makes good breeding grounds.
  
• Landscape to eliminate standing patches of water on the ground and overgrown areas that retain moisture. Fill in tree holes and stumps with sand or mortar.
  
• Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens and are free of holes.
  
• Consider buying a product that attracts biting females by mimicking human breathing through combinations of heat, light and chemicals. These devices can be purchased online or at some home improvement stores.

For more information visit www.cdc.gov.

Contact the Public Works Dept. at 972-551-6609 to place a service request to have your area treated for mosquitoes or fill out our online Mosquito Control Form.

West Nile Virus

Although the disease can be fatal to the immuno-compromised, most people infected with the virus have no illness or, at most, they experience symptoms similar to a mild flu with fever, headache and fatigue. In RARE cases, the virus multiplies in the central nervous system, causing encephalitis (swelling of the meninges of the brain). In addition to fever, headache and drowsiness, those infected will experience loss of muscular power, double vision, speech impairment, convulsions and coma.

This disease, although a public health concern, should not be viewed as a devastating epidemic. According to the Center for Disease Control, less than 1 percent of mosquitos are infected with West Nile virus and less than 1 percent of infected mosquitos will actually transmit the disease.

CONTROL PRACTICES

In an effort to control the disease, routine larvaciding (control practices targeting the developing mosquito) and adulticiding (targeting the adult mosquito) are employed. Surveillance of collected mosquitoes is conducted across the state to monitor for the presence of the virus. If the virus were detected, increased control practices would be implemented at that locale and immediate areas.

To reduce mosquito populations, basic control practices can be implemented. Eliminating standing water is the key in mosquito control because even small amounts of water can provide breeding and development sites for hundreds to thousands of mosquitoes. Pet water bowls should be dumped and refilled regularly, as well as bird baths, potted plants, etc. Outside storage of items that can collect and hold water (example - tires) is prohibited. When outdoors, particularly during early morning and late evening hours, wear protective clothing and use DEET sprays according to label. Keep lawns mowed and remove unnecessary vegetation. Because the disease can be transmitted to horses, horse-owners are encouraged to consult with their veterinarian regarding vaccination.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING WEST NILE VIRUS:

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/arboviral/westNile/

Click here for a printer friendly flyer on how to stop mosquitos and beat the bites.