Tarrant County - Home > Public Health > Health Protection and Response > Environmental Health > Vector Control > Be Mosquito Free
Be Mosquito Free logo; Prevent. Protect. Take Control; graphic silouettes of mosquitoes in flight around target graphic

   

Certain bugs and insects, like mosquitoes, carry deadly diseases. So it's important to know about these disease-carrying "vectors" and how to control them for the sake of the public's health. Tarrant County Public Health maintains an ongoing mosquito surveillance and mitigation program that collects samples of mosquitoes from traps placed in Tarrant County cities, then identifies and tests these mosquito samples for any diseases. If diseases are found, the information is passed to local authorities for appropriate measures. More than 150 mosquito traps are currently in use.

Arbovirus Reports

Ground Spraying for Mosquitoes

Mosquito Surveillance, Vector Control

Mosquito Trap Status Map

North Texas mosquitoes that carry disease

Aedes albopictus mosquito

Aedes albopictus

Aedes aegypti mosquito

Aedes aegypti

Culex quinquefasciatis

Culex quinquefasciatus

   

Aedes mosquitoes transmit either Zika or Chikungunya and bite during the day.

The Culex mosquito transmits West Nile Virus and bites only from dusk to dawn.

   

   

Mosquito season

The mosquito season is unpredictable. But it usually starts after warmer weather sets in and rain becomes more frequent.

Any place where water from rain, storm runoff or sprinkler systems can stagnant and "stand" for at least seven days undisturbed is a potential breeding ground for mosquitoes. Thick bushes and plants also provide resting places for them. But here are some ways, along with some video tips that can help you fix these issues and keep yourself from being bitten:

·  Dump standing water

·  Keep vegetation trimmed

·  Wear long sleeves and pants

·  Use EPA-approved insect repellents

   

   

NOTE TO PHYSICIANS

Because symptoms of these viruses are similar, Public Health encourages physicians to consider Zika virus, Chikungunya and Dengue infection when examining patients who show acute onset of fever and joint pain - as well as patients who may have recently visited areas where one of these viruses is present.