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Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

(McAllen, Texas)-The City of McAllen Environmental Health and Code Enforcement Department will implement a city-wide vector spraying initiative to reduce the adult mosquito activity in the area. Beginning tonight Wednesday, May 24 and continuing through tomorrow, Thursday, May 25, the City of McAllen Vector Control will be conducting vector spraying throughout the city. Mosquito spraying starts at the far north and south end of the city simultaneously. The team of nine mosquito foggers/sprayers work their way to the center of town; the spraying takes approximately two to three days, weather permitting.

Report mosquito complaints to McAllen’s 3-1-1 Customer Service Call Center directly by calling 3-1-1 or 681-3111 (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) and 24 hours a day, a McAllen Code Officer is on call at 681-1900.

McAllen’s Vector Control encourages the public to take the necessary precautions in guarding against mosquitos. Some preventative measures include using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors and regularly draining standing water. Residents are encouraged to visit their physician if they feel sick after being bitten.

In the meantime, residents should follow the following safety tips:

Insect repellant use:

Use mosquito repellent with DEET / wear protective clothing during dawn and dusk outdoor activities.
Apply repellents only to exposed skin or clothing—never put it on under clothing. Use just enough to cover and only for as long as needed; heavy doses don’t work better.
Don’t apply mosquito repellents over cuts, wounds, or irritated skin or immediately after shaving.
When applying to face, spray first on hands, then rub in, avoiding eyes and mouth, and using sparingly around ears.
Don’t let young children apply. Instead, put it on own hands, then rub it on. Limit use on children’s hands, because they often put their hands in their eyes and mouths.
Don’t use near food, and wash hands after application and before eating or drinking.
At the end of the day, wash treated skin with soap and water, and wash treated clothing in a separate wash before wearing again.

Residents should follow these tips for mosquito control:

Empty or get rid of cans, buckets, old tires, pots, plant saucers and other containers that hold stagnant water.
Keep gutters clear of debris and standing water.
Remove standing water around structures and from flat roofs.
Change water in pet dishes daily.
Rinse and scrub vases and other indoor water containers weekly.
Change water in wading pools and bird baths several times a week.
Maintain backyard pools or hot tubs.
Cover trash containers.
Screen rain barrels and openings to water tanks or cisterns.