West Valley Mosquito
& Vector Control District
Monday - Friday: 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM Phone: 909-635-0307
WHAT WE DO
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
The West Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District operates on an Integrated Vector Management (IVM) strategy. IVM incorporates education, prevention, and direct control to minimize the use of larvicides and pupacides and provide longer-term control methods.
Our District's primary goal is the management of insects and animals that can spread disease.
VECTOR MANAGEMENT SERVICES
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HABITAT MODIFICATION FOR VECTOR REDUCTION
A certified vector control technician will suggest and may implement some habitat modifications to reduce the amount of vector breeding or attractiveness of an area.
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PRE-CONSTRUCTION VECTOR SURVEY
A certified vector control technician will inspect the property prior to construction to ensure that vectors are not present and will not cause a problem in the construction going forward.
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LARVICIDE AND PUPACIDE APPLICATION
A State-licensed vector control technician will apply a larvicide (pesticide that affects larva) and/or a pupacide (pesticide that affects pupae) to a breeding source if it is the case that habitual modifications cannot be made.
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INSPECTION FOR RODENTS
A certified vector control technician inspects the property to find any rodents around the property. Typically, the technician will search the perimeter of the property (backyards, front yards, patios, etc.) looking for potential access points into the living structure.
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INSPECTION OF SWIMMING POOLS
A certified vector control technician will inspect the pool and filtration system to ensure that the pool is not a current or potential source for mosquito breeding.
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INSPECTION FOR MOSQUITOES
A certified vector control technician will inspect the property to find any source of mosquito breeding. Typically, the technician will search the perimeter of the property (backyards, front yards, patios, etc.)
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HONEY BEE HIVE REMOVAL IN VEGETATION AND NON-STRUCTURAL AREAS
During Non-Peak Mosquito Season, a licensed vector control technician will come to the property to remove and treat a hive that is attached to any vegetation and non-structural areas.
For bee services during peak mosquito season: visit these sites to locate help.
Bee swarms:
Beehive Removal:
If you'd like to receive any service, fill out a service request form below
By the Numbers!
Here is a breakdown of the mosquito management activities we conducted in 2022!
VECTOR AND DISEASE SURVEILLANCE
Our surveillance and laboratory staff monitor vector abundance weekly, monthly, and seasonally.
A variety of trapping techniques are used for mosquitoes to monitor different life stages of the mosquito.
Rodent trapping and tick flagging are performed seasonally and as needed.
CO -baited traps are used to monitor host-seeking female mosquitoes. Only the females require a blood meal, in order to produce eggs.
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Gravid traps are used to monitor mosquitoes that have already taken a blood meal and are ready to lay their eggs.
Invasive Aedes traps are used to monitor for the presence of invasive species of mosquito that are aggressive day-biters and have the ability to vector diseases such as Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya.
Ticks have the ability to transmit Lyme disease as well as rickettsial diseases such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
In our state-of-the-art laboratory, staff are able to perform disease testing in-house which accelerates our response time to disease findings.
Have an unusual insect and want to know what it is?
Bring it in a sealed container and the lab staff will identify the bug.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
The District's goal is not only to manage insects and animals that transmit disease, but also be an educational resource to the public. Using social media, the website, and directly visiting our communities, we provide information on how residents can protect themselves and their community. With new viruses and mosquitoes constantly spreading, it is essential to provide our communities with the latest vector-related information.
If you would like us to present at your facility, contact us through email at
adminemail@wvmvcd.org or call us at (909) 635-0307.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
One of the best ways to inform the public about our organization is through local community events. We take plenty of educational brochures detailing our services and the dangers of vectors. Stop by our booth for some informative brochures, mosquito-repellent wipes, pencils, and fly swatters. Some of the events we attend include concerts, county fairs, festivals, fire department open houses, health fairs and outdoor movies.
PRESENTATIONS
Our District offers presentations to all ages groups, from preschools to senior centers. Provided at no cost, our presentations generally focus on vectors, their habits, the public health hazards they create, and how you can help control the vector population in order to keep your community safe.
REQUEST A SPEAKER
If you would like to request a speaker from the District to come to an event or present to your organization, please send an email to events@wvmvcd.org and provide us with your name, email and/or phone where we can best reach you, a date or time frame for the event/presentation, and either a short summary of the nature of the event or the topic that you would like for us to present.
Links to District Newsletters
SOCIAL MEDIA
SUPPLIES WE OFFER
Besides having one of our vector control technicians come out to inspect or treat an area, there are plenty of ways of treating standing water sources on your own. The best way always will be to dump any standing water, however if that's not possible, we offer mosquitofish and mosquito dunks upon request. Call us at
(909) 635-0307 to arrange for pickup of mosquitofish - or we can deliver them to you.
MOSQUITOFISH
WHAT ARE MOSQUITOFISH?
Gambusia fish, commonly known as the mosquitofish, is a small, freshwater fish that typically does not grow past 7 cm in overall length. They are native to the southern and eastern United States and are used in California to aid in mosquito control.
HOW CAN THEY HELP?
Mosquitofish are classified as larvivorous fish. Adult females can eat between 42% - 167% of their own body weight in mosquito larvae. They generally breed throughout the summer with the first broods produced in April and May. This means that mosquitofish reproduce when mosquito season is right around the corner.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
Because they are aggressive predators towards larvae and other aquatic life, they can be considered an invasive species towards other insects and animals. For this reason, it is illegal to plant the fish into any waters of the State. When you receive mosquitofish, they are to be placed in bodies of waters on your property that do not feed into other streams, creeks, or sewers. If you want to get rid of the mosquitofish at any point, you can set up an appointment to have a technician remove and return the fish to the District.
MOSQUITO DUNKS
WHAT ARE MOSQUITO DUNKS?
A Mosquito Dunk is a target specific larvicide which slowly dissolves as it floats on standing water. The active ingredient is a bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis (B.t.i) that is deadly to mosquito larvae but harmless to anything else.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
Mosquito Dunks kill mosquitoes before they become flying, adult mosquitoes. One dunk can treat 100 square feet of surface water since the larvicide settles on the surface of the water upon being released. For less water, use only a portion. It is best to reapply every 30 days. Follow the label instructions for best results.
HOW CAN THEY HELP?
As it slowly dissolves, the bacterium that kills mosquito larvae is released. Eggs laid by mosquitoes will hatch, eat the B.t.i. and die before they are able to become adults. The B.t.i. is able to kill all species of mosquitoes without affecting any other animals or plants.