Dallas City Council Member Scott Griggs’ office has provided the information below.  More information on any spraying that may occur in North Oak Cliff will be provided when plans are announced.

On Wednesday, August 15, prior to the Dallas City Council Meeting, Mayor Mike Rawlings declared a state of emergency and authorized aerial spraying with an insecticide called “Duet” to combat the spread of the West Nile virus infections.  As the Mayor used emergency powers, the Dallas City Council was not given a vote.

Please stay tuned to local media and the City of Dallas website (http://www.dallascityhall.com/westNile_aerial-spraying.html) for information as it develops.  The Dallas Morning News is reporting that aerial spraying starts Thursday, August 16.  An area comprising 49,000 acres including downtown Dallas, the Parks Cities, and most of Dallas’ northeast quadrant is due to be sprayed on Thursday, August 16 in the evening, beginning at 8:30 p.m.

A map is available at http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/files/2012/08/spraymap11.jpg.

Please keep the following aerial spraying recommendations in mind from the City of Dallas website: Minimize exposure. Avoid being outside, close windows and consider keeping pets inside while spraying occurs.     If skin or clothes are exposed to spraying, wash them with soap and water. Rinse homegrown fruits and vegetables with water as a general precautionary measure. Cover small ornamental fish ponds and beehives. Because the chemical breaks down quickly in sunlight and water, no special precautions are suggested for outdoor swimming areas.

What else you can do?  Remember the Four D’s to reduce the risk of getting bitten by mosquitoes: DUSK to DAWN – is the time frame when mosquitoes, likely to carry infection, are most active. Stay indoors from dusk to dawn. DRAIN – standing water in your yard and neighborhood. Old tires, flowerpots, clogged rain gutters, leaky pipes and faucets, birdbaths and wading pools can be breeding sites for mosquitoes. DRESS – in light colored long sleeves and pants when you are outside, especially in mosquito infested areas. DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide) – if you are going to be outside when mosquitoes are most active, make sure you apply insect repellent that contains DEET. Read and follow label instructions. Spray both exposed skin and clothing with repellent when outdoors.

Please pass along this information to your family, friends and neighbors. We need to get the word out!

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