Mosquitoes Are Out, and Residents Want Action.

The mosquitoes are back, and they’re worse than ever, and Benbrook residents are feeling the impact.

Swarms of complaints have emerged across town as the pests make outdoor living unbearable. Many neighbors are wondering when the city will spray or why they have to wait until a West Nile case appears before trucks roll out.

Here’s the truth: Benbrook only fogs neighborhoods in rare cases, and only when mosquitoes carrying disease are detected. When spraying does occur, it’s announced in advance with signs placed around entry and exit points. Otherwise, the city sticks to a targeted larvicide program in creeks and select water bodies. But the real fight? That happens at home.

Benbrook officials say the best way to win the war against mosquitoes is to stop them from breeding in the first place. And that starts with water. Any still water that remains stagnant for more than four days can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Here’s how to cut off their habitat:

• Toss out or empty anything holding water: old tires, cans, buckets, bottles, or flower pots.
• Dump and scrub birdbaths twice a week.
• Clean roof gutters and fix outdoor leaks.
• Empty and turn over kiddie pools or pet bowls daily.
• Keep drain hoses moving and stock decorative ponds with mosquito-eating fish.
• Treat undrainable water (like ditches or shaded puddles) with larvicide tablets containing BTi. These mosquito dunks can be found at most hardware stores.

Not all water is a problem, though. Large ponds with steep banks, clear water, and minimal vegetation aren’t ideal for mosquito breeding.

Still, eliminating every adult mosquito is nearly impossible, although there are professional services that seem worth considering.

To avoid bites, wear long sleeves and pants when outside, especially at dawn and dusk. Use insect repellent with DEET or permethrin, and spray clothing to prevent bites through fabric. Just be sure to follow label directions, especially when applying to children.

Mosquitoes may be relentless, but Benbrook residents don’t have to be helpless. Start in your yard, protect your space, and report major mosquito problems to the city.