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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. |
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Greetings!
We trust you are enjoying Mosquito Bytes! We're here to meet your needs, answer your questions, and provide you with the information you need to stay healthy from mosquitoes and other vectors. We'd love to hear from you. What kind of information do you want to read about in Mosquito Bytes? Do you have a question for the entomologist or the fish biologist? The answer is just a click away! |
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Mosquitoes in the Mist: Why do we use Adulticides?
It is generally agreed by mosquito control experts that controlling larval mosquitoes while they are still restricted to their aquatic habitat is the most effective way to reduce adult mosquito populations and therefore reduce the risk of disease transmission. As a result, our field crews spend the vast majority of their time (99 percent in 2008*) inspecting and treating larval 'sources'. However, if the adult mosquitoes emerge, they are capable of dispersing distances from several hundred yards to 20 or 30 miles, depending on species and conditions, necessitating treatment of much larger areas. So why do we use adulticide (pesticides that kill adult mosquitoes) fogs? click here to continue... |
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Mosquitofish Program and the Search for Native Fish in Mosquito Control For more than 80 years, the Contra Costa Mosquito and  Vector Control District has looked for innovative ways to combat mosquitoes. One way is by using natural predators like the mosquito-eating fish Gambusia affinis, also known as mosquitofish (pictured). District Fish Biologist Chris Miller has been working with these members of the guppy family for 20 years. The fish is highly efficient in that it can eat up to 500 mosquito larvae per fish per day. It is a surface predator, using its upturned mouth to collect surface swimming insects. Mosquito larva is one such insect. It must swim at the water's surface in order to breathe fresh air through a protruding siphon located on the developing mosquito's body. This combination of surface predator versus surface dependant bug makes the Gambusia affinis a successful natural tool in mosquito control worldwide. ...click here to continue.
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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 request and receive service.
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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. |
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We hope you have enjoyed this issue of Mosquito Bytes. Please send us your thoughts, questions, concerns, or ideas for future articles. We'd love to hear from you! Don't forget - our Web site is chock full of information that is available anytime, everyday.
Sincerely,
Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District
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