Today, the Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District remind residents that with recent rain, be sure to begin looking for standing water and dump it out. The District also confirmed mosquitos have already began to arrive. With the change in weather, its become a recipe for mosquitoes.
From the District:
Look for Standing Water and Dump it Out
Mosquitoes lay their eggs in or near water. Once in water, the eggs can develop into adult mosquitoes in a matter of days. The warmer the weather, the faster some mosquitoes grow from egg to adult. Female mosquitoes are the ones who can bite people and can spread the causative agents for mosquito-borne disease. That is why dumping out rainwater is so important. By dumping out sources of water, you take away places where mosquitoes can grow into biting adults.
With this week’s rain followed by sunny days in the forecast, the Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District (District) is asking county residents to walk around your property and dump out any amount of standing water, because even a small amount of water can produce mosquitoes.
Residential yards are often the #1 source of mosquito production in a community. Anything that can hold just tablespoons or more of water, such as toys, flowerpot saucers, neglected swimming pools and hot tubs, bird baths, clogged rain gutters, and more, can produce mosquitoes. And, of the 23 species of mosquitoes present in Contra Costa County, a few may be active year-round. When you eliminate all types of standing water on a regular basis, you reduce the risk of mosquito-borne illness for your family and your neighbors.
Show Us How You Dump it Out
The District appreciates your efforts to dump out rainwater to prevent mosquitoes and we’d love to see all of the places where you’ve found water, especially the unexpected outdoor locations. Send photos of your efforts to the District. If you would like to include permission to share your pictures on social media, we’d be proud to share how you’re making an effort to protect public health right here in Contra Costa County.
Request District Service
If, after you have dumped out all of the standing water you can locate on your property, you still get bitten by mosquitoes while in your front or backyard, contact the District. The District provides the public health service of inspection and control of mosquitoes in Contra Costa County.
If you have a residential pond, a swimming pool, or a hot tub on your property that you no longer use, but is holding water, you can also request the District’s mosquitofish service. Due to the pandemic, the District’s mosquitofish pick-up service is no longer available. Instead, the District now offers a mosquitofish service that involves a District employee conducting an inspection and if mosquitofish are the appropriate solution to the mosquito issue on the property, the District employee will place the fish in the water source.
More information about the importance of eliminating mosquito sources can be found here and thank you for dumping out rainwater to prevent mosquitoes.
