CONCORD, CALIFORNIA – The Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District (District) has once again identified an invasive mosquito species, Aedes aegypti, which is capable of transmitting the pathogens that can cause Zika virus, Dengue fever, and Yellow fever. The latest detection was at a residential property in the City of Antioch, in the same area where the District found invasive mosquitoes late last year.
In response to the detection of these dangerous mosquitoes last fall, District employees have recently re-inspected locations where Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were previously found. A sample retrieved from one of those properties this week contained young mosquitoes developing in the water and one recently emerged adult Aedes aegypti mosquito, and it is likely that the District will find more of these mosquitoes as more inspections take place.
“As the District’s main goal is to protect public health for all Contra County residents, at this time, we need Antioch residents to be extra vigilant to remove any amount of standing water that is present in your front and back yard. Scheduling a District inspection of your front and back yard is strongly recommended, as Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are found in hard-to-find locations. A District inspection will identify any potential sources of mosquito production. If mosquito larvae are found, they will be treated, and long-term solutions will be discussed and provided to the resident,” said the District’s Operations Manager David Wexler.
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are very small (about 1/4 inch), with black bodies and pearly white stripes and spots. These mosquitoes lay sticky eggs above the water line in any size container that holds water, including potted plants or other outdoor containers. Because of their disease risk and the ability to grow from egg to adult in even very small amounts of water, it is critically important that Contra Costa County residents work with the District to control these mosquitoes, to prevent them from becoming established here.
The most important thing county residents can do to prevent mosquitoes on their own properties is to dump out any amount of standing water from any back or front yard container, including buckets, toys, tires, fountains, flower pot saucers, pet bowls, and report unmaintained swimming pools to the District.
With Mother’s Day coming up this weekend, protect Mom from mosquitoes by:
- Dumping out any amount of standing water
- Wearing mosquito repellent when celebrating Mom outdoors
- Reporting any daytime-biting mosquitoes to the District
Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District, an independent special district and public health agency, is located at 155 Mason Circle in Concord.
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- Oct 21, 2024 – Larval Mosquito Control to Take Place in Antioch
- Aug 27, 2024 – Invasive Aedes Aegypti Mosquito Found Again in Contra Costa County
