The Town of Highland Park Parks Department and Dallas County Health and Human Services monitors several mosquito traps within the town limits. Mosquito samples from each trap are tested on a weekly basis for: 1) total number of adult mosquitoes in each trap; and 2) the presence of West Nile Virus (WNV). This week, the mosquito samples in traps on both the east and west side of town were found to be above the treatable threshold as established by the Town’s Mosquito Control Policy. In response, the Parks Department will conduct ground spraying measures town wide to reduce the density of adult mosquito populations. The Town’s decision to use adulticide is based on the Centers for Disease Control’s recommendations that surveillance data, when combined with established thresholds, indicates a necessity to reduce the density of adult mosquito populations quickly to lower the risk of WNV.
Friday, October 2: Weather permitting, mosquito ground spraying will begin at 10:00 p.m. and conclude by 5:00 a.m., town wide.
Ground spraying measures will include the public rights-of-way and the Town’s tennis courts. In the event of rain or wind speeds above 10 m.p.h., mosquito ground spraying will not be conducted. Highland Park residents should remain inside and protect pets during the time the sprayers are in your area. Any pet water dishes left outside should be cleaned after spraying.