If you notice a dead Blue Jay or Crow in your area, please call the Public Services Department at 817-952-2200 and we will report it to the Tarrant County Health Department. The Health Department is only tracking these two types of birds, because they are the most prone to the West Nile Virus. In addition the city's Storm Water Department is diligently adding larvicide treatment to the creeks and drainage areas throughout the city and stocking creeks channels with Gambusia affinis (mosquito fish) minnows. These minnows are known for eating large amounts of mosquito larvae.

Select here to read the brochure "Menacing Mosquitoes" to learn what you can do to help with the fight against mosquito breeding and how to defend yourself against West Nile Virus.

For further information, please contact the City of Bedford Service Center at (817) 952-2200.

West Nile Virus: Frequently Asked Questions

Texas A&M's Guide to Controling Mosquitos.

• Dusk to Dawn
  Since infected mosquitoes are most active during this time, you should try to stay indoors.


• Dress
  When the weather permits, you should wear long sleeves and pants while you're outside. For extra protection, you may want to spray your clothing with an insect repellent.


• DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide)
  Apply an insect repellant that contains DEET. Read and follow the label instructions and always wear repellant when outdoors.


• Drain
  Remove standing water in your yard and neighborhood where mosquitoes can breed. This includes old tires, flowerpots, clogged rain gutters, etc. Mosquitoes may develop in any water stagnant for more than three or four days.

The City of Bedford does not spray for mosquitoes. Instead, the City of Bedford places larvae "briquettes" in all public drainage channels and in other public areas where there is ponding water. These briquettes effectively kill all larvae for a 30-day period. There are several reasons we no longer spray for mosquitoes, all supported by the Tarrant County Health Department.

• The "adultcide" spray is toxic and requires that citizens be forewarned to stay indoors when spraying is being done.


• The driver of the spraying equipment must wear special gear to protect himself. The spray can seriously impair the health of individuals with chronic breathing illnesses such as asthma or bronchitis.


• It is common for such individuals to have to seek immediate medical aid if they come in contact with the airborne spray


• The spray is very localized and only is effective for a very few minutes. Spraying only kills adult mosquitoes that are active while the spray is airborne.


• There is absolutely no "residual" effect of spraying. Mosquitoes not killed by the spray can develop immunity that is passed onto the future generations, thereby reducing the future neutralizing the overall positive effects of spraying.

The City of Bedford is concentrating it's efforts in what is believed to be the most effective method to combat this problem. By placing the briquettes the City has a better chance of reducing the mosquito population before they actually become airborne.