City to Conduct Ground Spraying for West Nile Virus June 16-17, 2026
Published on June 16, 2026
By the Office of Communication
Tarrant County Public Health has notified the City of Arlington that one of its mosquito trap samples has tested positive for West Nile Virus. Following guidance by Tarrant County Public Health, the City’s contractor will conduct two nights of targeted ground spraying within a half-mile radius of the positive mosquito trap, which is located near Douglas Court at North Cooper Street.
Targeted ground spraying will be conducted in this area between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. on Tuesday, June 16 and Wednesday, June 17, 2026, weather permitting. This targeted ground spraying schedule is intended to reduce the known virus-infected adult mosquito population as quickly as possible.
Targeted Ground Spraying
From May through October, the City of Arlington traps mosquitos to be tested by Tarrant County Public Health for the West Nile and St. Louis Encephalitis Viruses. These weekly test results help the City identify areas where to conduct targeted ground spraying with an ultra-low volume application of water-based permethrin product to reduce adult mosquito populations in an effort to prevent human infections.
Arlington follows guidance from Tarrant County Public Health regarding when to conduct targeted ground spraying. If samples collected from a mosquito trap test positive for three weeks in a row, the City's mosquito control contractor will conduct targeted ground spraying within a half-mile radius of the trap site over two consecutive nights. Spraying will be conducted between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., weather permitting.
The City could decide to conduct targeted ground spraying around a trap location after only one week or two weeks of positive test results when additional key risk factors are present. These include:
- Mosquito abundance (a positive virus test result with more than 50 mosquitoes in a trap)
- Proximity to any recent human West Nile Virus cases
- Scheduled outdoor events during dusk or nighttime hours near a positive mosquito trap location
- High West Nile Virus infection rate in collected mosquito sample
Arlington works to notify the public about scheduled targeted ground spraying through posts on the City’s social media accounts, news releases to local media, and physical signs and electronic message boards placed near spray sites.
Follow the Three Ds to Be Mosquito Free
Arlington also partners with Tarrant County Public Health to educate the public on simple measures they should take to prevent potentially dangerous mosquito bites.
- DEET is an ingredient to look for in your insect repellent. Follow label instructions, and always wear repellent when outdoors.
- Dress in long sleeves and pants when you're outside. For extra protection, you may want to spray thin clothing with repellent.
- Drain standing water in your yard and neighborhood where mosquitoes can breed. This includes old tires, flowerpots, clogged rain gutters, etc. Mosquitoes may develop in any water stagnant for more than three or four days. For shallow standing water that cannot be eliminated, check regularly for the presence of mosquito larvae and if seen, apply a biological larvicide often referred to as "mosquito dunks," available at local hardware stores.
What do I need to do to prepare for targeted ground spraying?
The City uses a water-based permethrin product for mosquito control, which has been determined by the EPA not to pose an unreasonable risk to human health. No specific risks to animals or the environment are expected when applied as directed. No special precautions are required.
- People who are concerned about exposure to a pesticide, such as those with chemical sensitivity or breathing conditions, such as asthma, can reduce their potential for exposure by staying indoors during the application period (typically nighttime).
- Once the pesticide product dissipates, it breaks down in the environment, producing little residual effect.
For more information about the targeted ground spraying, please call the City's Action Center at 817-459-6777. Download the City's free Ask Arlington app today to report standing water or mosquito infestations on private property.
Graphic above shows a person cleaning out a clogged rain gutter by hand with this wording:
Prevent Mosquito Breeding Sites
- Dump extra water from flower pots
- Keep rain gutters clean
- Remove old tires, buckets, toys or other water-catching items
- Replace bird bath water frequently
- Turn over wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use
- Add landscaping to eliminate standing water on your property