Mosquito season is here. Take these steps now

Mosquito season is here. Take these steps now

Published on April 30, 2026

As mosquito season begins, residents can take a few simple actions to protect themselves.

Warmer temperatures, rainy weather and growing grass provide ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Adult mosquitoes can live both outdoors and indoors, biting throughout the day and into evening hours. But mosquitoes are more than just a nuisance - they can become a serious health risk, as they can carry mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus and Zika virus. A few infected mosquitoes can produce large outbreaks in the community.

is key when it comes to controlling mosquitoes that carry and spread viruses. Every season, the City of Fort Worth partners with Tarrant County Public Health to monitor mosquito activity by trapping, identifying and testing for various mosquito-transmitted diseases. Forty sites have been set up throughout the community. Surveillance and testing activities continue weekly through the end of October.

Protect yourself, your family and community during this mosquito season by taking these preventative steps:

• Dump standing water in and around your home by emptying and scrubbing all outdoor containers such as pools, toys, planters, birdbaths and trash containers. Also inspect and clean out gutters of any standing water.
• Mow your lawn regularly to prevent your yard from becoming a breeding spot for mosquitoes.
• Inspect your yard after every rain and empty any containers or areas where water has collected. Also, watch for puddles where condensation gathers from the AC unit.
• Install screens on windows and doors and repair holes in the screens.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants outdoors and use insect repellants on yourself and your clothing while outdoors. Tip: Use repellants with active ingredients like DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon/eucalyptus or any other EPA-approved repellant.
• Check the West Nile Spray Map on the Environmental Services Mosquitoes webpage to see the most current spray locations.

For any questions or comments, reach out to the Consumer Health team at or .

To learn more about mosquito prevention, viruses and other mosquito-related information, visit the City's mosquito webpage.

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• Environment