The Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District (District) has identified the invasive mosquito species Aedes aegypti in Contra Costa County. The mosquitoes were found in Martinez. This is the first group of invasive mosquitoes reported in Contra Costa County.
The District is conducting surveillance and treatment in the area where these mosquitoes were identified with the goal of eliminating them before they become widespread in Contra Costa County; however, they are known to be very difficult to eradicate.
“These mosquitoes are very aggressive day-biters that can transmit the causative agents of Zika, Dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever. They can hide among vegetation and debris which makes them very challenging to find and eliminate. As we take our responsibility of protecting public health very seriously, we are setting additional traps, and going door-to-door in an effort to find and control these invasive mosquitoes and prevent them from becoming established in the County,” said Paula Macedo, General Manager.
Aedes aegypti are not native to California but can be found around the world in tropical and subtropical areas. They are common in the Southeastern United States and Arizona. More than 10 years ago, they were first discovered in Southern California, and over the years, they have been found in communities from San Diego County north to Shasta County. In 2019, Aedes aegypti were discovered in San Joaquin, Sacramento, and Yolo Counties.
These invasive mosquitoes are very small (about 1/4 inch), with black bodies and white stripes. Females can lay individual eggs that can remain dormant for up to six months before being exposed to water in which they can develop from egg to adult in a week or less. They are often introduced through travel, particularly as people move from area to area and may unknowingly transport these mosquitoes in potted plants or other outdoor items.
The District asks Contra Costa County residents to tip, toss and take action to reduce the risk of these new mosquitoes.
• Toss out any amount of standing water.
• These mosquitoes’ eggs can stick to surfaces, so after dumping out the water, scrub bird baths, containers, outdoor pet dishes, garden pots for plants, and anything else that can hold water outdoors.
• And report any day-biting mosquitoes by calling (925) 685-9301 or online.
Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District, an independent special district and public health agency, is located at 155 Mason Circle in Concord.
8 comments
Oxitec genetically modified mosquitoes approved for release this spring and now the identical species shows up. Who woulda thought… check out Delta Mosquito and Vector Control District website for further details. FAQ here but unsure if posting website info will be allowed/come through: https://deltamvcd.org/faq-oxitecs-pilot-program-in-california/
Scary!
I take my dog to the waterfront every morning and these got me good and I didn’t even notice first half of the week. Didn’t even see them. So far last 2 days have been no sightings no bites but we’ve been avoiding heavy the heavy vegetation and still water areas as of late
My folks live in the LA area and these suckers are well established there now. They are no fun. Any time of day, can breed in tiny moist spots, my kids react badly to the bites…. Good luck, Contra Costa.
I’ve enjoyed the Martinez regional park at the shoreline for many years, and, just this year, I’ve been getting unusually large bites with swelling and redness that linger, even when left alone. They swell up on the body. The mosquitos seem more clever too: they don’t buzz around alerting you to their presence. I was bitten on my neck and forehead on one of my walks, and I had no idea they were on my body. I have never seen bites like these. There is much more of a reaction on my body. I can see how their bites and feeding pattern factor into spreading disease.
Please, be careful out there. Use mosquito repellants if you can, even during the day. Godspeed to the agencies trying to keep this in check.
They are all over bay point! as soon as you open the car door they come swarming in! we live in mota ranch where the canal is right behind us. can’t even walk outside because we get attacked by the mosquitoes. Very very bad year for them. I was joking to my kids about getting west nike, now i know that scary!
Go screw yourselves, I don’t need another dang thing to worry about. literally everything else is bad. I just want to carry on with my day without worrying about the next stupid thing that never gets taken care of, just some random facts to scare us with and waste our energy worrying about crap.
Day biting mosquitos!? Do you mean ALL Mosquitos!? Christ.
Some govermemt system we have. Kill the mosquitos while supporting the leeches.
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