City to Spray for Mosquitoes in the Castlewood Area

The City will spray for mosquitoes on September 5, 6, and 7 in the Castlewood area. This week, one trap in the Castlewood area tested positive for West Nile Virus. Crews will spray the creeks, drainage culverts, and wooded wet areas in the AM hours. See the map for the specific spray areas.

The Public Works Drainage Division has a proactive program to test and detect the presence of West Nile Virus within the City's corporate limits. The West Nile Virus (WNV) is carried by only one species of the 85 known species of mosquitoes in Texas, the Culex Quinquefasciatus, and it's only the female that has the ability to transfer the WNV to a human host. The City has a very active weekly mosquito testing program that spans from May through the end of October, traps are deployed, samples collected and tested for West Nile Virus. For more information, visit the West Nile Virus page on the city website.

City crews are currently treating standing water in culverts, creeks, wooded areas, and greenbelts throughout the entire City. The City does not spray for the nuisance mosquito population as it is cost-prohibitive.

Now is the time to ensure there is no standing water around your property. Check French drains, empty out water from plant trays, pet water bowls, and anywhere you see standing water. The BTI "DUNKS" can be purchased at most local hardware stores to place in areas of standing water around your home that can't be removed.

The City of Highland Village reminds residents to take the proper precautions to reduce their risk of getting the mosquito-borne West Nile virus by remembering the four D's: drain, dress, DEET, and dusk/dawn.

Residents should:

• Drain standing water around their homes to reduce mosquito breeding sites.
• Dress in pants and long sleeves when outside in mosquito-infested areas, but avoid becoming too hot.
• Apply an insect repellent that contains DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) to exposed skin and to clothing when outdoors.