City staff will begin its annual mosquito monitoring and testing across Colleyville in April.

The City samples mosquito populations year-round but increases surveillance during mosquito season, which typically runs from April to October. Crews place traps across the city to monitor mosquito breeding sites. Each week City staff sends traps to Tarrant County Public Health for testing. The City will respond to positive mosquito sample sites depending on the results of the testing. Actions can include larvicide or spraying treatments.

What you can do

Individual responsibility plays a major role in mosquito virus prevention. There are several practices residents can do to protect themselves from possible illnesses.

• Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus
• Dress in long sleeves and long pants when outside
• Drain standing water around the home

The most important thing citizens can do to reduce the risk of exposure to mosquito-born virus is to eliminate mosquito-breeding areas around the home and limit exposure to feeding mosquitoes. Female mosquitoes can lay 100-300 eggs on the surface of fresh or stagnant water every third night during its life span. Here are some simple things citizens can do to eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites around the home:

• Do not allow water to accumulate in the saucers of flowerpots, or in pet dishes for more than two days
• Get rid of tin cans, old tires, buckets, unused plastic swimming pools, or other containers that collect and hold water
• Clean debris from rain gutters, remove standing water from flat roofs, and repair leaks around faucets and air conditioners
• Change the water in birdbaths and wading pools at least once a week
• Fill or drain puddles, ditches and swampy areas
• Check for trapped water in plastic or canvas tarps used to cover boats or pools, and arrange the tarp to drain the water