Mosquitoes are becoming increasingly prevalent in Wichita Falls, Texas as temperatures rise and rain falls. This has prompted the Wichita County Health District to take action to combat the pesky insects at a recent meeting of the Wichita County Commissioner’s Court. With an expected increase in mosquito activity following recent rains, there is also a potential risk of diseases such as West Nile Virus.
To prevent an outbreak, the Health District has implemented various methods to control mosquito populations. One of their preferred methods is targeting mosquitoes while they are still in the water, as they are more concentrated and easier to reach in that state. They use traps to capture female mosquitoes for virus testing, and if any presence of the virus is detected, they initiate spraying in the affected areas. Spray trucks are less effective as they only target flying mosquitoes.
Recent rains around Lake Wichita have prompted increased vigilance in monitoring mosquito activity for signs of the virus. By staying proactive and utilizing various control methods, the Health District aims to minimize the mosquito population and reduce the risk of mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile Virus. The Health District is also working on enhancing their interactive spray map for better accessibility and readability, allowing residents to see when their neighborhoods will be sprayed next.
