The City monitors and controls the mosquito population on public property by educating residents on effective drainage, controlling vegetation, reducing breeding sources, applying larvicides to standing water, and spraying as necessary for adult mosquitoes.
Surveillance
Mosquitoes are caught and identified using traps that mimic environments that mosquitoes find highly attractive. Through surveillance, we can also identify the risk areas and target source reduction and other measures to control mosquito populations and protect our residents from mosquito-borne illnesses. Read the Southlake Vector Control Plan or View the Tarrant County Public Health Vector Surveillance interactive mapping tool.
Public Information and Education
We work to educate and inform our community about mosquito control and prevention methods through the use of media and attending community events. City staff is available to make presentations and site visits as well as assist community members in searching for breeding sources around their property. The Mosquito Reporting Tool alerts the team to issues in the city.
Additional Steps
In addition to these precautions, the City acts to reduce mosquito populations by utilizing EPA-approved pesticides (adulticides). Adulticiding is more commonly known as “spraying.” Residents should be aware spraying is only one component of an Integrated Vector Management Program and is only utilized when staff deems it is necessary to control the spread of disease. For more information about spraying, including what types of insecticides are being used, see Spray FAQ's.