November 2024 Newsletter

Report Biting Mosquitoes

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 are small with striped legs. They bite aggressively during the day.

Recent findings of invasive Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Santa Clara, Contra Costa, and Alameda Counties are a reminder that this mosquito may not be far off from re-invading San Mateo County. (It did invade our County in 2013, but residents and our staff worked together to eradicate it!). Please always report biting mosquitoes, particularly if you are being bitten during the day.

Sometimes we hear people say, "It was only one mosquito, so I didn't think to report it." However, sometimes there are only a few mosquitoes at one house, but MANY at a neighboring house. Maybe your neighbor does not know to report biting mosquitoes. Please always report biting mosquitoes, and let your neighbors know to report as well.

Summer Staff

Summer staff Virgil, Everst, Steven, Rick, Jonathan, Galen, and Cody checked over 25,000 storm drains this summer to help keep our County safe from West Nile virus.

During the warm summer months, our seasonal catch basin treatments are key to preventing the growth of mosquitoes in the storm drain system. (Learn more about our summer work.) These types of mosquitoes are the main West Nile virus vector in our County. As the weather cools and the winter rains start naturally flushing out these drains, our summer catch basin treatments come to an end. Mosquitoes are not able to grow in the storm drain system when water from the rains regularly flushes the drains and when overnight temperatures are low.

A man in a uniform with name tag "Sean" and patch of "San Mateo County Mosquito & Vector Control" with trees in the background. — Summer laboratory staff Sean was a key part of our invasive Aedes surveillance this summer!

We would like to say a big 'THANK YOU' to all of our summer staff. We had 7 staff driving Jeeps to treat catch basins to help prevent West Nile virus. Over the summer, they checked and/or treated 25,768 catch basins throughout the County; many were checked every two weeks. This totaled to 162,901 treatments in summer of 2024. These treatments keep Culex pipiens mosquito populations low, drastically reducing our residents' risk of West Nile virus. Our summer laboratory staff, Sean, set and checked traps for invasive Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Sean set multiple traps each week, totaling 161,438 nights'-worth of traps in summer 2024. All summer staff played critical roles in protecting public health - thank you!

Prevent Rodents from Entering your Home this Winter

A grey rat pokes its nose through a hole in cardboard

As the weather cools, you might hear more noises in your attic, crawlspace, or garage. Rats and mice might try to make your home THEIR home in the cooler months. Now is a great time to check around your home for rodent entry points. Not sure what to look for? We're experts - give us a call to request a rodent inspection.

Rodent inspections are done by our certified (and very experienced!) technicians who are experts at finding all the little holes and gaps where rodents can enter your home. Technicians will check around the outside of your home to find things attracting rodents to your property, give tips on how to keep them out, and give you a written report outlining all their findings. Our staff do not trap or remove rodents from homes/properties, and they do not fix/seal holes. However, the inpection and report can be a great start for you to know where and how to focus your efforts as you work to keep rats and mice out of your home. Give us a call today to schedule your no-cost inspection! 650-344-8592

Check Your Sump Pump and Gutters

Photograph of the edge of a roof and the gutter partially clean but with some leaves and dirt remaining. A gloved hand holds a handful of leaves and dirt that was removed from the gutter. There is a pail in the background where more leaves and dirt are.

As the rains start, be sure to check your sump pump and gutters to prevent expensive damage later! If you have a crawlspace under your home, check to be sure the sump pump works. A sump pump can help your crawlspace stay drier during a big winter storm, preventing mold, damage, and (most importantly) mosquitoes. Check your roof rain gutters to clear out any leaves or debris so that your gutter can work properly during a rain event - this will also help keep your home from collecting water in places that might result in water damage and...you guessed it...mosquitoes. A little preventative maintanence can go a long way to protecting your home from damage and mosquitoes this rainy season.

West Nile Virus Update

Photograph of a brown mosquito resting on a white surface — Culex tarsalis mosquitoes are a main vector of West Nile virus.

As of November 13, a total of 36 dead birds collected in San Mateo County have tested positive for West Nile virus. Residents have reported over 512 birds so far this year, of which 150 were in appropriate condition for testing. Stay up-to-date with San Mateo County information. Stay up-to-date with statewide California information.

No mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile virus yet this year in San Mateo County. We have tested over 6,100 mosquitoes this year from San Mateo County. However, West Nile virus has been found in mosquitoes in other counties in Calfornia, so if you are traveling don't forget to take your mosquito repellent and follow other tips to prevent mosquito bites and the diseases they can spread.

New Board Member

Tolifili Fa joined the Board as the representative for the City of San Mateo. She was sworn in at the November Board meeting. We look forward to Tolifili's service on our Board. Thank you for your service!

Tick-bite Prevention Kits Now Available

Photograph of various papers with words including: tick-bite prevention, insect repellent, common ticks of California, tick-bite prevention kit. A pair of orange tweezers, a yellow device for removing ticks, and two packets of insect repellent wipes. — Tick-bite prevention kits include a variety of resources to help protect you from tick bites and the diseases they can transmit.

Do you live in San Mateo County? Do you spend time outdoors in natural areas? Would you like a no-cost tick bite prevention kit? You can request a kit be delivered to your house.