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Invasive Aedes aegypti

Mosquito on a white background.  The mosquito has an abdomen full of dark red blood.  The mosquito is mainly black, with some white stripes on its legs.
Invasive Aedes mosquitoes bite during the day and have black-and-white striped legs.

Invasive Aedes mosquitoes are not native to San Mateo County, California, or even North America. They do not belong in our ecosystems, and they can make people very uncomfortable because they bite during the day and even bite indoors. More importantly, invasive species like Aedes aegypti pose a risk to human health because they can spread diseases that make people very sick, like dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever.

Species of invasive Aedes mosquitoes have become established throughout many US states. These mosquitoes are spreading throughout California and have been found as close by as Santa Clara County, Alameda County, and Contra Costa CountyThis file and interactive map created by the California Department of Public Health show where they are currently found in our state.

Aedes aegypti was found in San Mateo County before - from 2013-2015 it was detected in Menlo Park.

As of July of 2026, Aedes aegypti has again been found in San Mateo County - this time in a small area of Redwood City. District staff are visiting properties in the area to determine how widespread the problem is, and are working with local residents to control (and hopefully eradicate!) the mosquito.

The District continues to conduct intensive surveillance throughout other areas the County, and you can help out by reporting suspected invasive Aedes mosquito sightings. The sooner we know that these invasive mosquitoes have arrived in our county, the better chance we have of stopping them. Call 650-344-8592 or report on our website.

 

 

Page last reviewed: July 27, 2026

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