Arlington is rolling out two nights of overnight mosquito spraying after Tarrant County Public Health told the city that a mosquito trap sample had tested positive for West Nile virus. Contractors are set to treat a neighborhood near Caliente Drive and Commander Court on the nights of yesterday and today, between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., weather permitting. City officials say the targeted operation is meant to knock down infected adult mosquitoes and cut the risk of human illness in the area.
Where And When The Trucks Will Roll
The city says crews will spray within roughly a half mile of the positive trap, including the Caliente Drive at Commander Court neighborhood and nearby stretches of Park Springs Boulevard, South Bowen Road and SW Green Oaks Boulevard. The contractor will run ultra-low-volume, truck-mounted sprayers that apply a water-based product across the treatment zone during the overnight hours. Residents can look for posted street signs and app alerts in the affected area, per the City of Arlington, TX - City Hall.
Why Officials Are Acting
Health officials say the decision comes amid rising West Nile activity across Tarrant County. Tarrant County Public Health reported the county's first human West Nile case of the season last Friday and said it had identified dozens of WNV-positive mosquito pools, including 86 positive pools as of last Friday, which has prompted municipal responses across the county.
How Residents Can Protect Themselves
People who live in or near the spray zone are advised to stay indoors with windows closed while trucks are operating, bring pets inside, and cover outdoor aquariums or sensitive plants. Officials say the best defense is still avoiding mosquito bites altogether: use an EPA-registered repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, and get rid of standing water on your property. That guidance lines up with recommendations from the CDC.
What The Spray Contains And Safety Notes
The adulticide used in targeted ground spraying is typically a water-based permethrin formulation applied at ultra-low volumes. According to federal reviews, the EPA has found that pyrethroid adulticides such as permethrin do not pose an unreasonable risk to people when they are applied according to label directions. Residents with chemical sensitivities or respiratory conditions may want to avoid being outdoors during the spray window or talk with a health care provider for tailored advice. For technical details and product labels, see the EPA.
For local questions or to report standing water in your neighborhood, contact the City of Arlington Action Center at 817-459-6777 or use the Ask Arlington app. The city posts maps and updates on targeted spraying and sets out signs along affected routes when crews are scheduled to roll.
