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Bedford updates mosquito monitoring after county reduces free testing; traps negative so far
Summary
Public Works Director Joe Schweitzer told the Bedford City Council the city adjusted its mosquito-trapping and testing plan after Tarrant County cut free testing from four traps to three. Bedford has been testing five traps using an alternate lab while continuing larviciding that began in April; early results have been negative.
Public Works Director Joe Schweitzer updated the Bedford City Council on the city's mosquito-monitoring season during its May 27 meeting, saying Tarrant County reduced the number of traps it would test for free and Bedford is using an alternate lab to continue testing five traps.
The change followed the county's decision to delay the countywide start of mosquito season to May 1 and to reduce free testing from four traps per city to three. "They ended up reducing our traps'the number of traps we could send them to be tested for free, from 4 to 3," Schweitzer said. Bedford contracted an additional testing service for two traps at about $250 per week per pickup.
Schweitzer said staff have tested five traps for three weeks (two weeks via the alternate supplier) and all Bedford traps have returned negative results so far. He added that one trap was washed out by rain during the first week and was removed. "So we had a slow start, but now we're up and running and have tested 3 traps, or 5 traps for 3 weeks," he said.
Council members pressed for cost and process details. Mayor Pro Tem Gagliardi asked about the additional testing cost; Schweitzer said the alternate lab pickup for two sites is $250 a week. He told the council the city began larviciding in April and has been treating creek beds and standing water as part of routine prevention: "We're almost, almost 2 full months now that we've been larvociding, patrolling for various standing waters and public spaces," Schweitzer said.
Schweitzer said countywide positives have been few and located outside Bedford. He pointed councilmembers to the Tarrant County Health dashboard for county test results by zone and said Bedford's own website will show the city's trap results (city updates typically appear Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning after traps are set Monday and collected Tuesday).
The council was told the current risk level remains "low" in Bedford because tests to date have been negative. Schweitzer advised residents to consult the city website for the most up-to-date local results.
The item was informational; no formal council action was required.
