University Park Steps Up Fight Against Mosquitoes

Three residents with West Nile virus are hospitalized

University Park is increasing its efforts to kill mosquitoes.

The Dallas County Health Department has confirmed that three University Park residents with West Nile virus are hospitalized.

"We are right in the middle of the two hottest zip codes as reported by the county health department," city spokesman Steve Mace said.

The area is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. University Park has no shortage of dense foliage, creeks, ponds and other areas of standing water that are perfect for larvae.

University Park is one of the few cities that each summer begins a monthly program spraying program to control the mosquito population, spraying now will be increased as the spread of West Nile continues to surge

"We are now fogging all streets and alleys citywide on a seven-day period," Mace said.

School starts in three weeks, so University Park is also spraying around school buildings, looking for standing water and urging homeowners do the same. The city is offering free bacterial briquette that kill mosquito larvae.

"It can be used anywhere -- flower pots, rain barrels, fish ponds," said Mace, who added that the briquettes also are safe to use in swimming pools.

University Park said it would continue to pass out the bacterial briquettes at City Hall to residents and spray for mosquitoes until Dallas County no longer feels West Nile virus is spreading.

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