Tonight’s spraying will finish yesterday’s job, and coat the rest of the city, plus the suburbs that have signed on to the West Nile Emergency as well (Garland, Richardson, Addison, Farmers Branch, Carrollton, Coppell, Grand Prairie). Â Release from the city of Dallas:
Aerial mosquito spraying will continue tonight to include all areas in the City of Dallas not covered last night due to weather conditions. Spraying is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. and will continue until approximately 1a.m., weather permitting. Spraying began last night shortly after 10 p.m. but was halted at midnight because of rain.
A total of 62.8 square miles have now been sprayed in the City of Dallas, leaving 272.6 miles yet to be covered in the city limits. The priority tonight is to spray all areas missed last night, as well as the rest of the City of Dallas. Other cities will be sprayed as well. Areas to be sprayed tonight in the City of Dallas are:
- Approximately one half mile west of Jupiter Road and Buckner Blvd., east to the City limit
- South Dallas: Interstate 30, south to the City limit
- West Dallas: North of Interstate 30 and west of the Dallas North Tollway to the City limit
- Far North Dallas: North of LBJ Freeway to the City limit
If weather disrupts the spraying operation tonight, spraying will continue tomorrow to complete the mission in those areas yet to be sprayed. The public will be notified if spraying is conducted on Saturday. There will not be spraying on Sunday to allow for new mosquitoes to hatch. To ensure the treatment is effective, another round of aerial spraying will occur Monday and Tuesday to make a second pass in all areas of the city.
Aerial spraying is considered to be an effective and safe way to kill adult mosquitoes in large, densely populated areas. Although the pesticide is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency, residents are advised to take the following precautions:
- 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.
Residents are also urged to reduce outdoor activity during evening and nighttime hours. When outside, cover arms and legs and use a mosquito repellant. Standing water should be eliminated promptly, as mosquitoes can grow from egg to adult in as little as seven days. Breeding places for mosquitoes include swimming pools that are not kept clean, stagnant ponds, pet watering dishes, birdbaths, potted plants, old tires, empty containers, toys and clogged rain gutters and French drains.
To report standing water or mosquito problems, call 3-1-1. For more information on West Nile Virus aerial spraying visit www.dallascityhall.com.
