Mosquito Control

Infographic stating coronavirus is not transmitted by mosquitoes.

LARVICIDING

Larviciding is the first line of defense when it comes to mosquito control. The Garland Health Department (GHD) has several different types of larvicides that it uses to help reduce the possibility of mosquito breeding throughout the City of Garland. Larvicides can be applied in many different forms to almost all types of bodies of water.

The following are the different larvicides that the Garland Health Department currently uses on a daily basis:

The Garland Health Department obtained funding for a piece of larviciding equipment to be used in neighborhoods throughout the City of Garland beginning in the Summer of 2018. The equipment is called a Buffalo Turbine and is a truck-mounted unit that disperses larvicide into the air and reaches areas that were previously inaccessible by staff. This larvicide differs from adulticide in that it is not a pesticide, but a biological product that keeps mosquitoes from breeding in standing water in all areas. This piece of equipment also differs from the adulticiding operations in that occurs during daytime hours, so residents may see this truck in operation in their neighborhood. This biological larvicide, VectoBac WDG (PDF), is not harmful to any insects, animals, humans, or vehicles.

TRAPPING

Mosquito trapping occurs year round, but is increased during late spring and continues until mosquito activity decreases; typically in early fall. The Garland Health Department uses sentinel or "fixed" sites for trapping locations instead of changing locations based on complaints.  A Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study conducted after the 2012 West Nile outbreak in North Texas recommends that only stationary sites be used in order to have accurate weekly data of mosquito activity.  The trapped mosquitoes are sent to the Dallas County Health and Human Services laboratory where they are tested for the presence of West Nile Virus and other vector-borne diseases. 

SPRAYING

Most spraying is conducted between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. when the majority of residents are inside. The City of Garland currently uses one chemical when spraying for mosquitoes, Envion 30-30 (PDF). This chemical is diluted with water prior to application and the active ingredient for the chemical is permethrin.  Spraying activity will begin once notification of a positive mosquito trap or human case of West Nile Virus is received.

When spraying occurs, the City of Garland will conduct enhanced spraying, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  Enhanced spraying means that an area that requires spraying will be sprayed more than once, hopefully on consecutive nights in order to effectively reduce adult mosquito populations.

STANDING WATER

The Garland Health Department asks all citizens to eliminate any standing water on their property, such as:

  • birdbaths (clean them twice per week)
  • buckets
  • clogged rain gutters
  • pet water dishes
  • tire piles

Containers that can hold an inch or two of water can breed mosquitoes. Report any standing water that you are not able to eliminate yourself to the GHD. If you have questions or would like to report dead birds or standing water, please call the Garland Health Department Mosquito Hotline at 972-205-3720 or make a report through the Garland eAssist app.

PERSONAL PROTECTION

Use the 4 "D"s to reduce exposure to mosquitoes:

  • DEET All Day, Every Day: Use insect repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET or other EPA-registered repellents and follow label instructions when outdoors.
  • Dress: Wear long, loose, and light-colored clothing outside.
  • Drain: Drain or treat all standing water in and around your home or workplace where mosquitoes could lay eggs.
  • All Day long: Limit outdoor activities all day long, as mosquitoes can bite anytime of the day.

WEST NILE VIRUS INFORMATION

ZIKA VIRUS INFORMATION