Denton County is arming its residents with insect repellent to help fight mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus. The county completed aerial spraying earlier this week and is now handing out free bug spray.
"We couldn't really afford it [insect repellent]. Now that they are giving it out free. It helps prevent my son from getting the virus," Denton resident Rhonda Miller said.
Miller is not alone. Denton County residents expressed their excitement about the free spray at the Denton County Health Department on Wednesday.
"It's awesome," Denton resident Paul Payne said. "Anything to prevent bites is good."
Cutter donated 5,000 cans of insect repellent to the county. Denton County Health Department spokesperson Sarah McKinney stressed the importance of repellent and said aerial spraying and ground spraying can not work alone.
"It is something we forget about, even with this West Nile business going on. We still have to remember to put the repellent on. Hopefully, it will remind people, 'Hey, if I don't have a can, I know where I can get one for free for my family,'" McKinney said.
Denton County residents can pick up one free can of insect repellent per household at seven locations throughout the county: Denton County Health Department, Steven E. Copeland Government Center, Denton County Health Department (Lewisville Branch), Horn Government Center, Sandy Jacobs Government Center, Roanoke Government Center, The Colony Government Center.
