The City of Keller is ramping up its defenses against the West Nile Virus following the first positive test of the year in a local mosquito sample. Tarrant County Public Health alerted the public that mosquitoes trapped at 8751 Davis Blvd were carriers of the diseases. To combat the threat, the city has initiated ground spraying procedures to take place within a half-mile radius of the original collection site, as reported by the City of Keller.
Following the city's Mosquito Abatement policies and county recommendations, the spraying efforts are set to occur on the evenings of June 20 and June 21 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.—a time window chosen due to increased mosquito activity and typically less windy conditions. Even though they are less intrusive, there remains a concern for residents with chemical sensitivities, as the contractor will be using water-based insecticides that "offer low toxicity, low odor, rapid biodegradation and high mosquito mortality", according to the City of Keller.
Residents within the affected area, especially in gated communities, have been advised to leave their gates open on the affected nights if they wish for their streets to be sprayed. This advice, however, might not be heeded by all, potentially leaving pockets of unsprayed areas and thereby uneven levels of protection against the disease-carrying insects.
While the West Nile Virus typically remains relatively harmless, it can develop into severe illness in a small fraction of individuals. In light of the positive test in Keller, the city is proactively urging residents to adhere to preventative measures, such as removing standing water around homes and ensuring window screens are in good repair, to reduce mosquito breeding grounds, and to help prevent bites. Remember, leaving standing water around one's home can increase the risk of more mosquitoes breeding, even after the recent positive test and corresponding insecticide interventions have been conducted by the city.
