Westlake staff remain in close communications with Denton County officials regarding the aerial spraying schedule and application efforts that will take place in Westlake, and surrounding Denton County communities, now scheduled to begin this Friday evening, August 31 and Saturday evening, September 1, 2012 from 9:00 pm through 2:00 am, weather permitting.
As a reminder, the aerial spraying will occur over two consecutive nights. If rain or other weather conditions are not conducive, the spraying schedule will be adjusted to occur on the following two evenings. For example, if it is raining or wind speeds are too high again Friday evening, the spraying schedule will be moved to Saturday and Sunday evenings. Time of day will remain the same - 9:00 pm through 2:00 am.
Aerial spraying is considered to be an effective and safe way to kill adult mosquitoes in large, densely populated areas. The pesticide used, DUET, is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency and is safe for humans and animals in the dosage being utilized. It will provide one to two weeks of eradication for adult mosquitos only, allowing time for larvicidal briquettes to work on the eggs.
According to the Denton County Health Department, those individuals who wish to exercise an abundance of caution may take the following measures to minimize exposure:
• Avoid being outside during spraying; close windows and keep pets inside.
• If skin or clothes are exposed, wash them with soap and water.
• Rinse homegrown fruits and vegetables with water as a general precautionary measure.
• Cover small ornamental fish ponds.
• Because the chemical breaks down quickly in sunlight and water, no special precautions are suggested for outdoor swimming areas.
Citizens who think they may have develop symptoms related to the aerial spraying should contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
Please visit the Denton County Health Department's West Nile Virus website for the latest up-to-date information at www.dentoncounty.com/heart/wnv, or call the West Nile virus hotline
(940-349-2907) for more details about symptoms, prevention tips, county-wide contacts, reducing mosquitoes around your home, and disease statistics.
The Town of Westlake provides complimentary larvicidal briquettes (aka: mosquito dunks) to our residents. These are available at Westlake Town Hall from 8 am - 5 pm weekdays. Each briquette will treat 100 square feet of water and remain effective for 30 days if it is not washed away.
Questions? Feel free to contact Public Works Director Jarrod Greenwood at (817) 490-5717 or at jgreenwood@westlake-tx.org.
