Richardson, TX
Home MenuDepartments » Health Department » Environmental Health » Insect and Vector Management » Mosquito Control
Frequently Asked Questions
Monitoring
To report a stagnant swimming pool in your neighborhood, please call the Health Department at 972-744-4080 during regular business hours, or send us an e-mail at any time HERE.
Spraying
Spraying is typically conducted using ground-based foggers mounted in trucks. However, in certain emergency situations aerial-based spraying is considered a safe and effective way to control mosquitoes in larger geographical areas.
The City uses a product called Aqualuer 20-20, a water-soluble synthetic permethrin. Aqualuer 20-20 is an effective yet environmentally sensitive product, and equipment is calibrated in keeping with the pesticide's label for application requirements as required by law. Pesticides that are used for mosquito control have been judged by the EPA not to pose an unreasonable risk to human health. People who are concerned about exposure to a pesticide, such as those with chemical sensitivity or breathing conditions such as asthma, can reduce their potential for exposure by staying indoors during the application period.
The Health Department schedules spraying events during overnight hours to limit exposure to people who may wish to avoid contact with the pesticide used to control mosquito populations. Spraying events begin at 9 p.m. with the goal of ending by 4 a.m., depending upon the size of the spray area.
Community
Wear long sleeves and long pants when outdoors, and avoid being out of doors from dusk to dawn when many biting mosquitoes are active.
Mosquitoes need water in order to breed and grow into adults. Eliminating any standing water can help to control the population. Here are some tips:
Tip #1: Repair leaky plumbing such as dripping faucets and sprinklers. Don't over water the lawn as this can cause pockets of stagnant water to develop, particularly in low lying or poorly drained areas of the yard.
Tip #2: Don't allow birdbaths, swimming pools, pet watering dishes, flowerpots and saucers or other vessels to hold water and become stagnant. Wading pools, buckets in the sand box or a child's wagon can hold enough water for a mosquito to lay her eggs, so store these properly.
Tip #3: Keep your lawn mowed and tall grass and weeds trimmed.
The pesticide used degrades rapidly in the environment, and there is no accumulative or residual effect. However, for people concerned about exposure during aerial spraying, health officials suggest the following precautions:
Tip #1: Minimize exposure. Avoid being outside, close windows and consider keeping pets inside while spraying occurs.
Tip #2: If skin or clothes are exposed, wash them with soap and water.
Tip #3: Rinse homegrown fruits and vegetables with water as a general precautionary measure.
Tip #4: Cover small ornamental fish ponds.
Tip #5: Because the chemical breaks down quickly in sunlight and water, no special precautions are suggested for outdoor swimming areas.
