05032018 - City Entered Risk Level 2 of Mosquito Plan (May 2018) IOv FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DENTON Jessica Rogers • (940) 349-7531 • Jessica.Rogers@cityofdenton.com
City Entered Risk Level 2 of Mosquito Surveillance and Response Plan
Citizen Involvement Essential to Eliminating Breeding Grounds
DENTON, TX, May 3, 2018—On May 1, the City of Denton entered Risk Level 2—Enhanced
Response of the Mosquito Surveillance and Response Plan. Typically, Risk Level 2 is triggered
before the mosquito season is underway and centers on activities citizens can do to help the City
control the mosquito population. At this Risk Level, the probability of human outbreak of the
West Nile virus is low. Strategies for protecting human health and methods for minimizing
mosquito populations are the main control measures emphasized under Risk Level 2.
The City's Mosquito Surveillance and Response Plan is a comprehensive plan aimed at reducing
the risk of illness due to West Nile virus. City personnel have made reducing mosquito breeding
grounds a priority and are aggressively working to eliminate standing water in public drainage
ditches. Water that cannot be eliminated is treated with a biological mosquito larvicide (Bti). The
City of Denton and the University of North Texas are also conducting routine surveys of adult
mosquitoes. The collected mosquitoes will be identified and screened for the presence of viruses.
While the City is working proactively to control mosquito populations and lower the threat of
West Nile virus, citizen involvement is essential. "Mosquito control efforts in past seasons have
been successful, which would not have been possible without the source reduction and
larviciding efforts of Denton citizens," said Kenneth Banks, Utilities General Manager.
Eliminating breeding grounds is the most important and effective mosquito prevention measure.
Help the City control Denton's mosquito population by eliminating standing water from these
and other areas around your property.
• Open trash/recycling carts • Flower pots and saucers
• Boats and pool covers • Leaky hoses
• Fountains and bird baths • Wagons and other toys
• Clogged rain gutters • Ponds
• Low areas •Neglected pools
• Water bowls for pets • Tires
• Buckets and barrels • Piles of trash or debris
The City of Denton Water Utilities Department has a limited supply of Bti briquettes that
residents can pick up in limited quantities (two per resident) while the supply lasts. Residents
will be required to show their driver's license or a current City of Denton utility bill to prove
Denton residency.
OUR CORE VALUES
Integrity•Fiscal Responsibility•Transparency• Outstanding Customer Service
ADA/EOE/ADEA www.cityofdenton.com TDD(800)735-2989
City Bti distribution locations:
• Water Administration located at 901 A Texas St. in the Utility Service Center Monday through
Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• City of Denton Composting located at 1100 S. Mayhill Rd. in the Pecan Creek Water
Reclamation Facility; Tuesday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Detailed information about the steps residents can take to reduce the mosquito population and
increase their protection against West Nile virus can be found at www.cityofdenton.com. Other
resources include the Texas Department of Health Services website at www.dshs.state.tx.us and
the Denton County Health Department website at www.dentoncounty.com/wnv.
Contact: Deborah Viera, (940) 349-7162, Deborah.Viera@cityofdenton.com
Visit www.cityofdenton.com for more news and to stay updated.
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