As summer quickly approaches and we find ourselves getting outside a bit more, remember to take care to protect yourself from mosquitoes.
According to Gary Goodman, District Manager of Sacramento Yolo Mosquito and Vector control, many residents are anxious and excited to get outside and enjoy the warm weather so it's important to protect yourself from mosquito bites by wearing a good mosquito repellent.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend using an insect repellent that contains the active ingredients DEET, Picaridin, IR3535 or the plant-based oil of lemon eucalyptus. Aside from personal protection against mosquito bites, it's important to ensure mosquitoes are not breeding at home. Drain stagnant water from sprinklers, irrigation, and rainstorms. Be sure to check your backyard and dump any water in flower pots, kiddie pools, tires, pet dishes, bird baths and other common household containers that can hold water.
Another ongoing concern is the invasive mosquito Aedes aegypti which has been detected in several counties throughout Southern California and the Central Valley. For county level information, see this map. Invasive mosquitoes pose a significant health threat because they can transmit dangerous viruses including Zika, dengue fever and chikungunya. Surveillance efforts have continued since the initial detection last August. To date, no cases of Zika virus have been reported in California.
For more information on mosquito identification and management, see our recently revised Pest Notes: Mosquitoes. Additional information on vector-borne diseases is available on the California Department of Public Health website.
In the newly revised Pest Notes: Mosquitoes, you'll find general mosquito prevention tips as well as information on the most recent mosquitoes to become established in California: species in the Aedes genus which can transmit Zika virus and other deadly diseases.
This publication, written by UC Riverside entomologist William Walton and UC Davis entomologist Bruce Eldridge, discusses the life cycles and virus transmission cycles of Culex and Aedes mosquitoes.
You will find tips on managing water barrels and other water capture structures to keep mosquitoes from breeding in them. There are updates on chemical control, including new personal use repellent products and outdoor sprays, and a link to a frequently updated map of Aedes mosquito detections from the California Department of Public Health.
Read the full Pest Notes: Mosquitoes on the UC IPM website for more information and continue to stay safe and healthy out there!
/div>- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
- Author: Elaine Lander
Whether you're having a backyard barbecue or enjoying outdoor activities as the weather warms up, it's important to protect yourself from mosquitoes and their bites. Not only can these buzzing insects be a nuisance, certain mosquito species can transmit West Nile virus and other public health threats in California.
Late spring rains followed by warm, sunny days can create the perfect mosquito breeding habitat. Mosquitoes need very little standing water to lay eggs that can hatch in as little as one day. So remember, drain after the rain to fight biting mosquitoes!
What should you do to protect yourself? If possible, avoid being outside at dawn or dusk when mosquitoes are most active. When outdoors, protect yourself and your family by dressing in long sleeves and pants, or wearing an effective mosquito repellent. The best repellents are those that contain DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus.
You can also help reduce mosquito populations by:
- Dumping standing water out of buckets, tires, flowerpots, and any other containers in your yard.
- Cleaning clogged rain gutters and storm drains.
- Keeping screen doors and windows in good condition so mosquitoes can't enter the home.
- Reporting neglected swimming pools or ponds in your neighborhood to your local Mosquito and Vector Control agency. They will come inspect, and in most cases, they can release mosquito-eating fish in these pools instead of spraying pesticides.
For more information, see the UC IPM Mosquitoes web page or read our Quick Tips on Mosquitoes.
Mosquito repellents are considered pesticides. Always read and carefully follow all precautions and safety instructions provided on the container label. Following the repellent or other pesticide label directions will ensure you are using it as intended and getting the best protection possible.
West Nile Virus is spread by mosquitoes that get the virus from infected birds. Mosquitoes infected with the virus can transfer it to humans and other animals. Humans infected with the virus may become very ill. The disease usually is most serious in children, people with weakened immune systems, and the elderly. In 2017, California reported 553 human cases of West Nile Virus, which included 44 fatalities.
Protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites by following these tips:
- Drain any container that holds standing water, use mosquito-eating fish, cover pools, or use a pesticide product containing a bacterium that kills mosquito larvae.
- Use screens on doors and windows to keep mosquitoes out.
- Avoid being outside during dawn and dusk.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants socks/shoes and a hat.
- Use an effective mosquito repellent such as one containing the following active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus (also known as PMD or para-menthane-diol)
Read more about managing mosquitoes by visiting the UC IPM Mosquitoes web page.There you will find short videos, information in Spanish, and more resources on West Nile Virus and Zika.
- Author: Karey Windbiel-Rojas
The continued warm weather in our area means that mosquitoes are still active. So far this year, 361 cases of the mosquito-borne illness West Nile Virus (WNV) have been reported* in 23 California counties, including Yolo (4 human cases) and Sacramento (1 human case). Sadly, 18 of these 361 cases resulted in death.
It is important to protect yourself and your family from getting bit by mosquitoes. West Nile Virus is most serious in children, people with weakened immune systems, and the elderly.
When outside for prolonged periods during dawn or dusk, be sure to wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, socks, and a hat. Use insect repellents that contain DEET, picardin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus and reapply according to the label instructions.
Mosquitoes that can transmit WNV breed in aquatic environments like ponds or other sources of stagnant water such as roof gutters, bird baths, and swimming pools.
You can reduce mosquito habitat in your landscape by:
- Cleaning rain gutters and downspouts to remove debris.
- Sealing rain barrels. Keep all filters clean and free of moisture-retaining debris and inspect regularly for leaks.
- Maintaining quality in swimming pools with chemical treatments. Cover or drain water from plastic pools when not in use. Report neglected pools to your local Mosquito & Vector Control or Abatement District.
- Turning over any unused garden pots, children's toys, and other objects so they don't hold water.
For local information, visit the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District website, www.fightthebite.net or the Solano County Mosquito Abatement District at www.solanomosquito.com.
To read more about managing mosquitoes, visit the UC IPM Mosquitoes website. Find out more about West Nile Virus at WestNile.ca.gov.