Cedar Park asks residents to help control West Nile
Standing water in bird bath
Posted: Wednesday, August 29, 2012 12:06 pm
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Updated: 12:08 pm, Wed Aug 29, 2012.
CEDAR PARK — Recent heavy rainfall was a welcome relief to the Central Texas drought. However, the standing water left over from the rains is an ideal habitat for mosquitoes to lay eggs which will grow into larvae and eventually new mosquitoes which can carry West Nile Virus, city officials said.
In light of recent reports of mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus in Texas and one related death in Williamson County, the city of Cedar Park is asking all residents, businesses, and home owners associations to please inspect their properties for standing water and remove it right away.
“It is very important that citizens do their part to eliminate any potential mosquito breeding
grounds,†Cedar Park Emergency Management Coordinator Michael Clanton said. “West Nile
Virus should be taken seriously, and it is important that everyone does their part to keep the
community safe.â€
Places to look include wheelbarrows, rain gutters, buckets, plastic covers, toys, or any other
containers where mosquitoes can breed, officials said.
The Williamson County and Cities Health District also
recommends taking the following steps to eliminate stagnant water:
• Empty and change the water in pet drinking bowls, bird baths, fountains, wading pools, rain
barrels, and potted plant trays every 4 to 5 days to destroy potential mosquito habitats
- Drain or fill temporary pools of water with dirt
- Keep swimming pool water treated and circulating
- Clean out rain gutters
- Remove discarded tires or keep them dry and covered
- Add an aerator to ponds and water gardens or add fish that will eat mosquitoes and larvae
- Remove debris (leaves, twigs, trash) from ditches and low areas
- Fill in ruts and holes that collect standing water
For areas where standing water cannot be removed, the city recommends adding Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which may be purchased at home improvement stores.
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Wednesday, August 29, 2012 12:06 pm.
Updated: 12:08 pm.