FILE PhotoNASHVILLE, Tenn. – For the second time this year, mosquitoes collected by the Metro Public Health Department have tested positive for West Nile virus.
The Health Department said Pest Management staff captured the mosquitoes near the intersection of West Monticello Avenue and Gallatin Road in Goodlettsville.
The department began trapping mosquitoes and sending them to the Tennessee Department of Health's lab the first week in May.
The first positive batch was captured in a North Nashville neighborhood in early June.
Trapping efforts will increase in area where mosquitoes tested positive. Their staff will also continue to monitor standing water in the area and apply larvicide when mosquito larvae are present.
Mosquitoes are trapped in all parts of Davidson County, and apply larvicide when mosquito larvae are present. Health officials said there are no plans to spray to kill adult mosquitoes.
The Health Department recommends taking the following steps to protect against biting mosquitoes, including:
- Limit time outdoors at dusk and nighttime hours when mosquitoes are present.
- If you must be outdoors then wear a mosquito repellent that is approved for use by the CDC – those include products that contain DEET, Picaridin, and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
- Wear shoes, socks, long sleeve shirts and pants when outdoors during dusk to dawn when mosquitoes are most prevalent. Clothing should be light colored and made of tightly woven materials to keep mosquitoes away from the skin. Pant legs should be tucked into shoes or socks, and collars should be buttoned.
- Make sure your windows and doors have screens and are in good repair.
Health Department officials recommend taking steps to reduce mosquito breeding areas. This includes:
- Reduce or eliminate all standing water in your yard – especially in children's toys, bird baths, clogged gutters, tires, flowerpots, trashcans, and wheelbarrows.
- Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with Gambusia fish.
- Apply mosquito dunks in standing water areas on your property.
- Cut back overgrown vegetation (mosquito hiding areas).
You can call the Health Department's mosquito control information hotline with a recorded message about mosquito control efforts in Davidson County at 615-340-5668. Information is also available at the Health Department's website at and their Facebook page.
