The City of Arlington has announced targeted mosquito control measures following the detection of west nile Virus in a mosquito sample collected near Douglas Court at North Cooper Street. This proactive approach aims to reduce the adult mosquito population and prevent potential human infections.
Tarrant County Public Health notified the city of the positive test result, prompting the scheduled ground spraying between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. on June 16-17, 2026. The city’s contractor will use a water-based permethrin product, approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, to conduct the spraying within a half-mile radius of the affected area.
Targeted ground spraying schedule and safety measures
The targeted ground spraying will take place over two consecutive nights, weather permitting. The city follows guidelines from Tarrant County Public Health, which recommend spraying when mosquito trap samples test positive for three weeks in a row or when specific risk factors are present.
These risk factors include high mosquito abundance, proximity to recent human West Nile Virus cases, scheduled outdoor events during dusk or nighttime hours near a positive mosquito trap location, and a high West Nile Virus infection rate in collected mosquito samples. The city works to notify the public about scheduled targeted ground spraying through various channels, including social media, news releases, and physical signs near spray sites.
Residents with chemical sensitivity or breathing conditions can reduce potential exposure by staying indoors during the spraying times. Once the pesticide dissipates, it typically leaves little residual effect, posing no specific risks to animals or the environment when used as directed.
Preventing mosquito breeding and protecting yourself
Arlington residents are encouraged to follow the Three Ds for mosquito protection: DEETDressand Drain. Using insect repellent containing DEET, wearing long sleeves and pants, and draining standing water are simple yet effective measures to prevent mosquito bites and breeding.
To prevent creating mosquito breeding sites, residents can take several steps, such as dumping extra water from flower pots, keeping rain gutters clean, removing old tires and water-catching items, replacing bird bath water regularly, and turning over wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use. Adding landscaping to eliminate possible standing water on your property can also help.
For shallow standing water that cannot be eliminated, residents are advised to check regularly for the presence of mosquito larvae and apply a biological larvicide, often referred to as mosquito dunksif larvae are found. These larvicides are available at local hardware stores and can help control mosquito populations.
For more information about the targeted ground spraying, residents can call the City’s Action Center at 817-459-6777. Additionally, the City’s free Ask Arlington app allows residents to report standing water or mosquito infestations on private property, further contributing to the collective effort to control mosquito populations.