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Those pesky mosquitoes are coming back! Bedford staff will begin trapping and testing mosquitoes for West Nile in May. Here are a few reminders when it comes to mosquito season and the City’s mosquito management plan: 

What does the City of Bedford do to monitor mosquitoes?

Mosquito traps are set and monitored weekly for the presence of viruses. There are five testing locations throughout Bedford – one within each of the five monitoring “zones” that were created within the City. These locations are determined by various factors and take into consideration tree cover, access to water, local urbanization (land use in the area), and proximity to open spaces. Each week, staff collects samples from the five locations and delivers them to the Tarrant County Public Health Department laboratory for West Nile Virus testing.

In addition to weekly testing, staff applies larvicide regularly during the mosquito season and works to find and eliminate standing water in public places throughout Bedford.

What happens if there is a positive sample?

If a sample collected from a Bedford testing location tests positive, Tarrant County Public Health will notify City officials. From there, staff notifies the public of the positive sample through the following City of Bedford communication channels:

In accordance with the City’s Mosquito Abatement policies, if a positive test result is received in one zone, creeks and flumes within the zone of the trap will be treated with larvicide. City staff will consider spraying within specific zones, only if positive West Nile samples have been recorded within multiple zones over a two-week period, or there is a confirmed human case of West Nile. 

Where can I learn more about the City’s mosquito plans?

The City has a dedicated mosquito control webpage at www.bedfordtx.gov/mosquito.

The webpage contains details explaining the City’s mosquito management program, an interactive map with locations that are regularly monitored, a mosquito checklist, and information on how to schedule on-site mosquito inspections with the City. 

How can I protect myself?

When it comes to protecting yourself and your family from mosquitoes, always remember the “Four D’s,” as follows:

  • Dusk and dawn are the times of day you should try to stay indoors. This is when mosquitoes are most active and are considered major feeding times.
  • Dress in long sleeves and pants when you are outside. For extra protection, you may want to spray thin clothing with repellent.
  • DEET is an effective EPA-registered active ingredient to look for in your insect repellent. Always wear repellent when outdoors and choose products that contain up to 20 percent DEET.
  • Drain standing water in your backyard and neighborhood. Old tires, flowerpots, and clogged rain gutters are considered mosquito-breeding sites.
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