Following guidance by Tarrant County Public Health, the City of Arlington’s contractor will conduct two nights of targeted ground spraying within a half-mile radius of the positive mosquito trap location, which is located near Shady Valley Drive and West Pioneer Parkway.

Targeted ground spraying will be conducted in these areas between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2 and Friday, Oct. 3, weather permitting. This targeted ground spraying schedule is intended to reduce the known virus-infected adult mosquito population as quickly as possible. 

Targeted Ground Spraying

From May through October, the City of Arlington traps mosquitos to be tested by Tarrant County Public Health for the West Nile and St. Louis Encephalitis Viruses. These weekly test results help the City identify areas where to conduct targeted ground spraying with an ultra-low volume application of water-based permethrin product to reduce adult mosquito populations to prevent human infections.

If samples collected from a mosquito trap test positive for three weeks in a row, the City’s contractor will spray within a half-mile radius of the trap site over two consecutive nights. Arlington could decide to conduct targeted ground spraying around a trap location after only one week or two weeks of positive test results when additional key risk factors are present:

• Mosquito abundance (a positive virus test result with more than 50 mosquitoes in a trap)
• Proximity to any recent human West Nile Virus cases
• Scheduled outdoor events during dusk or nighttime hours near a positive mosquito trap location
• High West Nile Virus infection rate in collected mosquito sample

What do I need to do to prepare for targeted ground spraying?

The City of Arlington uses a water-based permethrin product for mosquito control, which has been determined by the EPA not to pose an unreasonable risk to human health. No specific risks to animals or the environment are expected when applied as directed. 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, producing 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 report standing water or mosquito infestations on private property.