Ground-based mosquitoes spraying to occur

The City of Burleson was notified that mosquitoes in Zones 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 22, 23, & 33 tested positive for West Nile Virus. In response, the city will conduct two nights of ground-based spraying for mosquitoes in this zone between Friday, September 6 through Monday, September 9, between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., weather permitting. The ground spraying will be performed by trucks equipped with sprayers in targeted subdivisions within the designated spray zones. For more information call 817-426-9848.

This brings the city to 64 positives during the 2024 season.

Preventive spraying is not as effective as targeted spraying in reducing mosquito populations. The city works closely with Tarrant County Public Health to monitor mosquito-borne illnesses that could impact public health and to make evidence-based decisions on how to treat mosquitoes most effectively while also working to reduce the chance of developing pesticide resistance in local mosquito populations.

Preventive spraying everywhere would be incredibly costly to the city, and if pesticide resistance were to develop, the city would lose one of its best tools for managing West Nile Virus, as not all mosquitoes carry the virus. It is also important to note that the city cannot legally spray outside of its jurisdiction.

Given these factors, the city opts for more targeted and strategic interventions rather than blanket spraying to manage the risk of West Nile Virus effectively. For additional information, please contact the city's Environmental Health Specialist, Kristen Tanz, at [email protected].