With a confirmed case of West Nile virus in Lubbock County, the Scurry County Health Department is monitoring mosquito traps more closely.
Health unit Director Dana Hartman said several mosquito traps are set up around the county and mosquitoes are regularly tested for the virus. The virus in Lubbock County was detected in a mosquito caught in a trap.
“We work closely with the city and the lab at (Texas) Tech,” Hartman said.
No mosquitoes trapped in Scurry County have tested positive for the virus and Hartman said the insect’s population is “getting better.” That is thanks to the dry summer, but Hartman said residents still need to protect their property from becoming potential breeding areas.
She said one of the best ways to prevent mosquitoes from breeding is by placing mosquito dunks in standing water, including bird baths.
“This is will not harm the animals, but will take care of the mosquito larvae,” she said.
Other tips to control mosquitoes are:
• Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover or throw out any items that hold water like tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers or trash containers.
• Tightly cover water storage containers, such as buckets, cisterns and rain barrels, so that mosquitoes cannot get inside to lay eggs.
• For containers without lids, use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
• Use larvicides, like mosquito dunks, to treat large containers of water that will not be used for drinking and cannot be covered or dumped out.
• If you have a septic tank, repair cracks or gaps. Cover open vent or plumbing pipes. Use wire mesh with holes smaller than an adult mosquito.
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