City officials in Grapevine received confirmation this week that mosquito samples taken in both the northern and southern areas of the city have tested positive for West Nile virus.

Staff who have been trying to proactively address mosquito breeding grounds in the city for months will now step up their eradication methods within a half-mile of the collection points: Forest Hills Road in North Grapevine near the lake, and an area just south of Hall Johnson Road in South Grapevine. Notifications will also be sent to homeowner associations and crime-watch districts in those areas.

These findings in Grapevine come after confirmation of West Nile in Southlake and Colleyville last week, and alongside an announcement from the Tarrant County Health Department that five human cases of West Nile have now been confirmed countywide.

City and health officials throughout the region are asking residents to be proactive in the fight against West Nile by draining standing water on their property in everything from flower pots and stagnant swimming pools to pet water dishes and rain gutters.

Grapevine is also offering free larvacide briquettes to city residents, available during standard business hours at the Parks & Recreation Office in City Hall and the Community Activities Center. Each briquette treats 100 square feet water, and is effective for 30 days. Households may receive two briquettes per month for free, and other larvacide options are available for purchase at area businesses.