Category Archives: Vector Control

8 Tips to Stop Skunks from Making Your Yard Their Home Skunks pose a risk to public health because they can transmit rabies. With mating season right around the corner, skunks will soon look for the home they will need … Continue reading →

Recent cooler temperatures can prompt some Contra Costa County residents to bundle up and head indoors. It turns out, rats and mice will try to get indoors, too. They are warm blooded and naturally drawn to warmth, so when it’s … Continue reading →

The Change in Seasons Does Have an Impact on Yellowjacket Behavior You’re in your backyard, doing a little weekend barbecuing and wham… out of nowhere yellowjackets are all around. You start waving your arms and some start stinging you. What’s … Continue reading →

Everyday, the employees of the Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District work to protect public health in Contra Costa County. As summertime is prime time for mosquitoes, the main focus of our work right now is on reducing the risk … Continue reading →

Since the Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District office closed to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic, residents seeking mosquitofish could not pick up fish in person. The District’s mosquitofish service changed to allow residents to request mosquitofish as they … Continue reading →

During the current pandemic, there are daily reports on the new things scientists are learning about the virus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19 disease because COVID-19 is so new. Here in Contra Costa County, there is already a virus that is neither new … Continue reading →

Each year, skunk activity peaks twice a year–in the winter during mating season and during the spring when young skunks are born and start to venture out into the world. Right now, those young skunks are exploring their surroundings and … Continue reading →

It’s Time to Dump and Drain After the Rain; Tick Service is Suspended For many homeowners with swimming pools on their properties, spring is the time of year to transition from winter’s lack of pool use to the clear blue … Continue reading →

The first thing county residents can do to protect public health is let us know what you are seeing by requesting service. The Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District provides public health services to reduce the risk of harm or disease from mosquitoes, … Continue reading →

How the District Continues to Protect Public Health With this week’s order from the acting Contra Costa County Health Director that county residents are to shelter at their place of residence except to provide or receive certain essential services, many folks … Continue reading →

Act Now to Reduce the Risk of Yellowjackets They live right under our feet and when we least expect it, they bite and sting repeatedly. It’s only February 2020, but they are already back. So far this year, the Contra Costa … Continue reading →

The Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District is reporting one chicken from the District’s sentinel chicken flock on Holland Tract, near Knightsen has tested positive for antibodies against West Nile virus. This is the first sign of West Nile … Continue reading →

“I was minding my own business, mowing my lawn when all of a sudden, I’m being attacked by yellowjackets.” Does this sound familiar? Contra Costa County residents often share stories like this when a Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control … Continue reading →

Reduce the Risk of West Nile Virus–Be on the Lookout for Mosquitoes and Dead Birds   First come the hot days of summer, then the warm summer nights soon follow–and those warm nights actually increase the risk of West Nile virus … Continue reading →

Put traps up now Yellowjackets can sting and bite repeatedly. Yellowjackets stings and bites are painful and can be dangerous for people who are allergic. And more than one yellowjacket has been known to ruin a backyard barbecue. What can you … Continue reading →

10 Tips to Reduce the Risk of Rabies During Skunk Mating Season For skunks, it’s the smell of love as male skunks seek females during mating season. For the rest of us, it’s the unmistakable scent of skunk spray – … Continue reading →