|
FIGHT THE BITE: Report Dead Birds
Many birds are reservoirs for mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus. Some birds, such as crows, blue jays, finches, and hawks can die from the disease. Other birds simply develop antibodies and survive, such as chickens.
Reporting dead birds is crucial to mosquito control efforts because we use these reports to help us determine where human cases may occur. We then concentrate our surveillance and control efforts in these areas, while still maintaining control in the rest of the county.
Report dead birds to the state hotline: 877-WNV-BIRD (877-968-2473) or go online at www.westnile.ca.gov
Not all birds will be picked up and tested, but the reports remain crucial to control efforts. |
|
|
|
Greetings!
Welcome to our new online newsletter! Read on to learn about mosquitoes and other vectors, great programs, FREE services to Contra Costa County residents, and more! |
|
|
CCMVCD & Realtors Unite: Fighting West Nile Virus One Swimming Pool at a Time 
Hot weather and swimming pools are two summertime icons that conjure up gleeful parties, beach balls and suntan lotion. But hot weather and neglected swimming pools have turned summertime into a cause for concern. That's because each neglected swimming pool can produce more than one million mosquitoes and affect people as far away as five miles. And with the amount of neglected swimming pools increasing an average of 30 percent each month over the past several months due to home foreclosures, the Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District has turned to Realtors to help locate these pools that are virtually hidden from public view.
In their unique collaboration, CCMVCD and the Contra Costa Association of Realtors have teamed together to combat this threat to public health. Like anyone, Realtors can call CCMVCD anonymously to report neglected swimming pools so that CCMVCD employees can inspect the pool and treat it for mosquitoes. Realtors are educated about possible mosquito sources and to refrain from shocking the green pools with large quantities of chlorine meant to kill the algae and instead kill the mosquitofish. The fish are placed in the neglected pools for longer-term control and because each one can eat up to 500 mosquitoes a day. Mosquitofish die in chlorinated water so shocking the pools can leave a neighborhood significantly vulnerable to West Nile virus. The virus, a sometimes devastating and fatal mosquito-borne disease, is transmitted to people and animals through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, such as neglected swimming pools.
Realtors play an important role in reducing the risk of West Nile virus in their community by diligently reporting the pools. In fact, anyone can report neglected swimming pools, spas, and other mosquito sources by simply calling CCMVCD at 925-771-6183. |
|
FREE services! Your tax dollars at work.  The Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District has been protecting public health for more than 80 years, so it's no surprise that our residents know us for mosquito control. But did you know we have other equally important services available to Contra Costa County residents? We have programs and services for rats and mice, yellowjackets, skunks, ticks, and of course, mosquitoes. CCMVCD protects public health through the management of these vectors - animals or insects that are capable of causing harm or discomfort to people or animals. CCMVCD services are paid for through property tax dollars so there is no additional charge when residents receive service. |
|
Sign up for Adult Mosquito Fogging Schedules Sign up for our award-winning adult mosquito fogging notification e-mails on our Web site. It's that easy! We'll e-mail you with all of the details of the fogging such as the time, exact locations complete with maps, as well as many important links to West Nile virus and pesticide information.
Once our scientists determine that mosquitoes are a threat to the public we fog or spray as soon as possible before the mosquitoes fly away. Our e-mail notifications are the fastest way to get the schedule. The e-mail is strictly permission-based and controlled solely by the user so opting in and out is as easy as clicking a button.
|
|
We hope you have enjoyed this issue of Mosquito Bytes. For more mosquito and vector control information, please visit our Web site.
Sincerely,
Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control |
|
|
