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The San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District is asking Redwood City residents to watch out for mosquitoes after the agency recently discovered an invasive, disease-spreading species of the bug in Redwood City.
The district said it found Aedes aegypti black-and-white mosquitoes in the Friendly Acres neighborhood and is checking properties in the area to determine how widespread the insects are. Aedes aegypti are about one-quarter of an inch and known to bite aggressively during the day.
“We need the public’s help to stop this mosquito,” stated District Manager Brian Weber in a press release. “Our goal is to control and eliminate invasive Aedes aegypti mosquitoes from San Mateo County.”
The mosquitoes can spread diseases like dengue, chikungunya, Zika and yellow fever — though the risk of contracting these diseases in San Mateo County is “very low,” the district said. They lay their eggs in small containers like saucers under potted plants, fountains, bird baths, toys, yard drains, old tires, and small puddles.
District staff will conduct door-to-door property visits in Friendly Acres and nearby areas to find standing water where mosquitoes can breed. Staff will also establish extra mosquito traps to find invasive Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
Residents are encouraged to help protect the neighborhood from these mosquitoes by dumping standing water at least once a week, including from containers as small as a bottle cap, the district said.
The district also encourages folks in and around Friendly Acres to, when outside and mosquitoes are active, wear long sleeve shirts, long pants, socks and shoes — as well as to apply insect repellent containing an active ingredient registered with the Environmental Protection Agency, like oil of lemon eucalyptus, picaridin, IR3535 or DEET.
Residents should ensure window and door screens are in good condition to prevent mosquitoes from entering their home. To report a bite, visit SMCMVCD.org or call 650-344-8592.
Aedes aegypti, which are not native to California, were found in Menlo Park over a decade ago, but were successfully eradicated because residents collaborated with the district’s efforts, the district said.
The district’s programs and services are funded through property taxes and benefit assessments to all residents in San Mateo County at no additional charge.
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