Zone 8 to undergo spraying

Common moquitoPhoto byCity of Burleson

A mild winter combined with heavier-than-normal rains this spring have combined to create perfect breeding conditions for our dreaded mosquitoes.

According to the National Weather Service, Burleson receives 15.77 inches of rain through May on average. Through the end of May 2024, Burleson has received almost twice that at 27.35 inches, with 11.31 inches coming in the month of May alone.

Mosquitoes are more than just an annoyance causing itchy bumps that can seem to last for days on end. They also can carry and transmit dangerous viruses and parasites leading to serious illness or even death. Many of the diseases associated with mosquitoes are considered foreign to the United States because they are not often found here such as Dengue and Yellow Fevers, and malaria. Those found most commonly in the United State, though, include Zika Virus and West Nile Virus.

West Nile Virus has become so common in North Texas that cities often trap mosqitoes and have them tested for this. A positive test raises the alert level for city officials, who then will generally perform spraying to eradicate the current mosquito population and attempt to prevent the spread of disease.

Symptoms of West Nile Virus have often been compared to those of influenza ("the flu"): fever, headache, body aches, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, lack of appetite, swollen lymp glands/nodes, and rash. Severe symptoms can even lead to death: high fever, neck stiffness, muscle weakness, stupor and disorientation, tremors, seizures, paralysis, and coma. Being blood-borne, West Nile Virus is not generally transmitted from human-to-human except through some sort of blood transfer such as transfusion, organ transplant, or mother-to-baby.

Most of those infected will develop no symptoms, but the potential for severe symptoms to develop has cities taking preventative measures. Approximately 80 percent of those infected fall into this category. With that, persons normally have a one percent chance of becoming infected. One person of every 150 who are infected will generally develop serious symptoms.

Through May 2023, there were 90 cases of West Nile Virus reported in Texas, as well as 913 "pools" of mosquitoes that reported positive through testing. Those who are aged 50 or older are at the highest risk of being infected, while the virus also affects the very young and those with underlying health conditions severely, as well.

This virus has made its way to Burleson, prompting the city to take measures to protect its citizenry.

Residents can find their spraying zone by using the tool on the City of Burleson website.

On June 5, the city was notified that mosquitoes captured in Zone 22 had tested positive for West Nile Virus. As a result, the city performed ground-based spraying that weekend, on Friday and Saturday.

Map of Burleson Spray Zone 8Photo byCity of Burleson

Zone 8 has now been affected, with the city having been notified on June 12 of positive test result. This has resulted in the scheduling of ground-based spraying for the Zone on Friday and Saturday, June 14 and 15, between the overnight hours of 9:00 pm and 6:00 am. Although a low probability according to the weekend weather forecast, the spraying may be rescheduled if rain or winds above 10 mph occur.

Zone 8 is described by the City of Burleson as "the area of Gregory street, Warren Street, Miller Street, Dobson Street, Hidden Creek Parkway, Hidden Vistas, Irene Street, and Arnold Street." These areas will be targeted with a spraying technique that is aimed at the adult mosquito population as they fly. The spray kills mosquitoes that come into contact with it, but it also dissipates and degrades quickly to protect other animals in the area. Zone 8 is shown on the map found here.

The best protection against mosquitoes and West Nile Virus, as with any pest or disease, is prevention.

Mosquitoes breed and thrive in wet conditions, similar to those which Burleson has been subjected to this year. Even a seemingly insignificant puddle of stagnant water can provide the perfect home for these pests. Such puddles can accumulate in clogged gutters, flowerpot dishes, wading pools, unused tires, wheelbarrows, tree holes, bird baths and animal dishes, and other containers. Overgrown vegetation such as high grass and weeds can also provide a resting place for adult mosquitoes. Emptying these items or filling holes, along with cutting or trimming vegetation, can help reduce the areas moquitoes have for continuing their lifecycle.

Other measures that can be taken include adding moquito dunks or briquettes to drains, fixing leaking faucets or pipes, adding mosquito-eating fish to ponds, and repairing any tears in window and door screens.

When outside, one can protect themselves against moquito contact by using an EPA-approved insect repellent. While DEET is most-effective, it can be harmful to other pets or animals, so care needs to be taken with those products. Wearing long sleeves and pants is also recommended to reduce the amount of skin available to the moquitoes. The final option is a combination of the two: ensure that any repellent used is sprayed to cover the clothing completely.