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As Californians hunker down for another month of sheltering in place, many may choose to spend more time in their own backyards or take on some neglected outdoor projects. We would like to remind residents to be aware that there may be dormant threats from vectors around residential areas and that they should take some precautionary measures to protect themselves.
If you live in a wooded region or your property borders an open space area, it’s important to be aware that you are likely to encounter ticks while weed-whacking or trimming back brush in your yard. Use EPA-registered repellents on your skin or clothing when working in the yard, perform tick-checks, and take a shower when you come back inside.
If urban wildlife such as raccoons, skunks, opossums, or feral cats have been hanging out on your property they may have dropped fleas in your yard. Fleas can survive for a long time in shaded and protected areas such as crawl spaces, dense ivy, or other areas where wildlife has been denning or resting. If you notice fleas in your yard, first make sure that a host animal is not denning on your property, and that your own cats or dogs are treated with flea control products. Vacuum your home, increase sun exposure in your yard, and clean up any shaded outdoor locations.
If you live where deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) occur, take care when cleaning out that garage or tool shed you haven’t opened in several months. Deer mice sometimes carry the Sin Nombre virus, which can cause an uncommon but serious human disease called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). People who come into contact with the dried feces or urine of infected deer mice, especially in enclosed spaces, can become infected with HPS. If you open a neglected outdoor building and can see or smell evidence of rodents or their droppings, back out and take some simple precautions before entering the area.
Need more information? Our staff is not making home visits right now, but we're happy to answer questions over the phone or by email.
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Board Meetings Held Remotely
In order to comply with the shelter-in-place order, Board of Trustees meetings will be held via teleconference until further notice.
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Mosquito Population Update
Counts for all species are averaging below five per trap night, which is consistent with the five-year average. The numbers are expected to remain low as a result of seasonality and the District’s work to control mosquito larvae. This March, 109 larval samples were submitted to the laboratory. The most frequently occurring species in larval samples was Culiseta incidens, the cool weather mosquito, present in 48 of the 109 samples. Aedes dorsalis,a mosquito of particular concern due to its aggressive biting behavior, was collected from salt marsh sources along the San Francisco Bay this March, and technicians are regularly monitoring these sites to prevent spring emergence of adults. Read more.
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Our Work by the Numbers
Technicians responded to fewer service requests than usual in March - only 99. While residential property visits have been reduced, technicians are still inspecting and treating water sources throughout the county for mosquitoes. Read more.
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Fighting the Bite and Flattening the Curve
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We're all now aware that in order to 'flatten the curve' - that is, slow the spread of COVID-19 to avoid overwhelming our local healthcare system - everyone must practice appropriate social distancing. Controlling mosquitoes and preventing the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses is an essential service, especially now. After all, mosquitoes don't obey shelter-in-place orders, and an outbreak of West Nile virus will only add to the challenges facing us today. With that in mind, we've taken steps to allow our District to continue operating while still abiding by both the letter and the spirit of California's shelter-in-place order.
What's closed/cancelled:
- The District office is closed to the public.
- Technicians are not meeting with residents face-to-face, and will not enter homes for inspection.
- All events, presentations, and outreach tabling are cancelled.
- Board, committee, and staff meetings are being held via teleconference.
What's still happening:
- Technicians are still inspecting for and controlling mosquitoes.
- Other service requests will continue as feasible.
- You can still make reports of standing water or mosquito problems.
- The laboratory is still identifying mosquito samples and testing for disease.
- Staff are working remotely, or on modified schedules, whenever feasible.
These measures will remain in effect until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience, and we hope to return to our usual services in the near future.
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