Southlake will spray for mosquitoes Tuesday night and Wednesday night after a trap in the 800 block of Shady Lane tested positive for West Nile Virus, according to a city notice published July 27.
Tarrant County Public Health confirmed the positive trap to the city. Crews will spray within a half-mile radius of the Shady Lane location on Tuesday, July 28, and Wednesday, July 29, weather and wind permitting.
The city said the spray chemicals target mosquitoes and burn off quickly in sunlight, which it says mitigates pet health concerns.
No makeup dates have been announced if weather forces a cancellation.
County cases climbing
The Shady Lane trap is part of a broader surge across Tarrant County. As of July 24, the county health department had identified 86 West Nile-positive mosquito pools for the 2026 season. On the same day, the county also confirmed its first human case of the year. The patient developed the neuroinvasive form of the virus, which can be life-threatening, according to Tarrant County Public Health.
The season is accelerating.
Last year, Tarrant County recorded 17 human West Nile cases over the full season, which runs from April through mid-November. The first positive mosquito samples of 2026 were confirmed May 14 in Fort Worth and Grand Prairie.
What residents should do
The City of Southlake advises residents near the spray zone to take protective steps:
- Drain standing water in flower pots, bird baths, and other artificial containers. The city identifies standing water as the primary source of mosquitoes.
- Wear long sleeves outdoors during evening hours.
- Apply insect repellent containing DEET.
About 20% of people infected with West Nile Virus develop symptoms, according to Tarrant County Public Health. The neuroinvasive form, though rare, can cause fever, neck stiffness, disorientation, tremors, muscle weakness, or paralysis.
Contact
Residents with questions about mosquitoes in their neighborhood can call the city's Emergency Management Department at (817) 748-8624 or email Emergency Manager Kennedy Meehan. Additional information on the city's mosquito response is available at CityofSouthlake.com/1707/Mosquito-Response-and-Management.
