Tips & Resources

How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes - Eliminate Common Hangouts

Don't give mosquitoes a place to stay by emptying standing water from these and other areas around your home and yard:

  • Boats and pool covers
  • Buckets and barrels
  • Clogged rain gutters
  • Flower pots and saucers
  • Fountains and bird baths
  • Leaky hoses
  • Low areas
  • Neglected pools
  • Open trash/recycling carts
  • Piles of trash or debris
  • Ponds
  • Tires
  • Wagons and other toys
  • Water bowls for pets

To treat stagnant water, use Bti briquettes, which is not a chemical. Each briquette will treat 100 square feet of surface water for 30 days. To apply, simply drop the briquette in standing water. Bti is available in limited supply from the City or can be purchased at local garden/hardware stores.

City Bti Distribution Locations

Residents will need to bring a valid driver's license and utility bill for proof of residence. The limit is two donuts per resident.

  • Customer Service
    City Hall East
    601 E Hickory Street
    Suite F
    Monday through Friday
    8 am to 5 pm
  • City of Denton Composting
    Pecan Creek Water Reclamation Facility
    1100 S Mayhill Road
    Tuesday through Saturday
    7 am to 3 pm

Protect Yourself Against Mosquitoes

  • Drain standing water around your home, yard, and neighborhood
  • Dusk and Dawn are the times of day you should try to stay indoors; this is when mosquitoes are most active
  • Dress in long sleeves and pants when you're outside, and spray thin clothing with repellent
  • Defend yourself by using an insect repellent that contains DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus

West Nile Virus & Symptoms

West Nile virus is a potentially serious virus that affects the nervous system. According to the Centers for Disease Control, it is established as a seasonal epidemic in North America, typically from late spring through summer and fall. This mosquito flies short distances (often much less than a mile) to feed. Adult mosquitoes have a life span of a few weeks during the summer months.

Mild symptoms, appearing in some people (approximately 20%) include

  • Fever
  • Nausea
  • Body aches
  • Skin rash
  • Headaches
  • Vomiting
  • Swollen lymph nodes

Severe symptoms, appearing in very few people (less than one %) include

  • High fever
  • Neck stiffness
  • Disorientation
  • Tremors
  • Vision loss
  • Numbness
  • Headache
  • Stupor
  • Coma
  • Convulsions
  • Muscle weakness
  • Paralysis

Symptoms usually appear within three to 15 days of being bitten. If you are concerned about any symptoms you or a family member are experiencing, see your health care provider.

Mosquito Surveillance & Response Plan

The program is a partnership between the City of Denton and the University of North Texas. This surveillance program collects adult mosquitoes that are sent to the Texas Department of State Health Services for testing. The overall goal is the use data on mosquito populations and mosquito virus infections rates to:

  • Assess the threat of human disease
  • Determine the geographical areas of highest risk
  • Determine the need for intervention events, and timing events
  • Identify larval habitats that are in need of targeted control
  • Monitor the effectiveness of control measures
  • Better understand transmission cycles and potential vector species

The use of ultra-low volume aerosols ("fogging") will only be considered if there are conditions indicative of Risk Level Five (Public Health Alert) and if other control measures appear to be ineffective. If adulticiding is implemented, citizens residing in areas where applications will occur will be notified through several methods including Robocall, CodeRED, eNews, through this website, and on the City Facebook page.

Preventing Other Mosquito-Transmitted Diseases

If you are planning to travel to another country, visit the resources below to find out if the country has any travel health notices related to the following mosquito-transmitted diseases: