We appear to be removed from the peak West Nile season, but cities are continuing efforts to minimize the mosquito population with ground spraying in our region.
This week marks the second round of spraying in Bonham, who began administering insecticide last month for the first time this season. That will take place September 11 and 12 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
In August, Bonham City Manager Bill Shipp told KETR, "And then what we'll do is we'll spray again in two weeks. And that's about the time the state recommends too, because anything that you have hatching up out after that you'll catch the next go around. And then we'll play by ear to see what the weather conditions dictate for spraying again."
The City of Greenville says they’ve sprayed at least three times in the community, with some areas having received additional treatment. They'll now move to targeted spraying for mosquito control instead of spraying on a request basis.
According to a release, Hunt County has had 12 confirmed cases of West Nile virus. Five of those cases have been confirmed within the Greenville city limits.
A release by the city states, "The Hunt County Health Department notifies the city when a case of West Nile is confirmed and that area is immediately sprayed. The city will also continue to conduct targeted spraying of public facilities where people are known to gather in the evenings and early morning hours such as parks and playgrounds."
They've also setup a link for more information about mosquito control.
In Commerce, spraying continues each week during the month of September, part of an extension of their annual summer program. Here's the schedule.
The Paris-Lamar County Health Department has also been spraying this summer in Paris, and by request in the nearby towns of Reno and Roxton, according to Executive Director Gina Prestridge. The county reported its first death from the virus last month, the first in our area outside the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
Officials advise personal prevention is still the best form of protection from the West Nile virus. Tips include remembering the four Ds; that the peak biting time for mosquitoes is at dusk and dawn, to dress in long sleeves and pants, defend yourself using bug spray, and drain standing water.
Additionally, you can apply insecticide or briquettes (mosquito dunks) to areas where mosquitoes are observed. These products are available at local garden, hardware, home improvement and retail stores.
