City of Sacramento
City Council - 5PM Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2023-00954 8/8/2023 Consent Item 3.
Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District Annual Report File ID: 2023-00954
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: Receive and file.
Contact: Mindy Cuppy, City Clerk, MMC, (916) 808-5442, [email protected], Office of the City Clerk; Luz Maria Robles, Public Information Officer, (916) 405-2082, [email protected], Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District
Presenter: None.
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-2023 Current Issues and Challenges Related to Mosquito Control Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District’s mission and vision is “To provide safe, effective and economical mosquito and vector control for Sacramento and Yolo counties.” To accomplish this, they provide ongoing surveillance of mosquitoes and other vectors to determine the threat of disease transmission and lower annoyance levels. As a District they promote cooperation and communication with property owners, residents, social and political groups as well as other governmental agencies to help in these efforts.
The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District (District) is submitting this written update to inform councilmembers, city staff, and community members of current mosquito control issues and what can be expected in the upcoming months relating to mosquitoes and West Nile virus (WNV).
Policy Considerations: Not applicable.
Economic Impacts: Not applicable.
Environmental Considerations: Not applicable.
File ID: 2023-00954 8/8/2023 Consent Item 3.
Sustainability: Not applicable.
Commission/Committee Action: Not applicable.
Rationale for Recommendation: Not applicable.
Financial Considerations: None.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
1 Sacramento Yolo-Mosquito & Vector Control District
2023 Current Issues and Challenges Related to Mosquito Control
OVERVIEW
At the request of the City Manager in lieu of an annual presentation to the city council, the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District (District) is submitting this written update to inform council members and city staff of current mosquito control issues and what can be expected in the upcoming months relating to mosquitoes and West Nile virus (WNV). This year, we are anticipating a busy season due to the record amount of rain and many sources of stagnant water that can become a mosquito habitat.
The mission of the District is to provide safe, effective and economical mosquito control to protect the health and welfare of all residents. To achieve this, the District utilizes an Integrated Pest Management approach that includes public information, surveillance of mosquito populations and tracking of WNV activity, use of mosquitofish as a form of biological control, working with landowners to prevent mosquitoes from developing on their properties and chemical control to significantly reduce mosquito populations that pose a threat of disease.
WEST NILE VIRUS ACTIVITY
Mosquitoes can transmit a variety of debilitating diseases. Of ongoing concern is West Nile virus which is prevalent and well established in California and Yolo County since 2003. Last year in the city of Sacramento there were 5 mosquito samples and 1 dead bird that tested positive for the virus. While WNV was low within city boundaries, there was a significant amount of activity in the neighboring areas considered part of the county and this can often have an impact on mosquito control activities. Within the city of Sacramento, some of the most common mosquito breeding sources include neglected pools, household containers that fill with water in backyards and thousands of street catch basins. In addition, river seepage along Discovery Park, overgrown areas along Bannon Creek and a variety of greenbelts and riparian areas that produce a lot of mosquitoes and can make treatments difficult. Lastly, there are 3073 acres of rice in areas near north Natomas, therefore District mosquito control efforts include ongoing routine agricultural aerial spraying to reduce mosquitoes originating from these fields throughout the season. As a result of all the WNV detections, the District responded with ground based treatments around parks, greenbelts, golf courses and other open areas to reduce mosquito populations that could pose a public health threat.
2 This year we are seeing a much higher level of WNV activity within the city of Sacramento. To date, some of the areas of concern where most of the virus is concentrated include south Natomas in District 1 as well as Tahoe Park and Elder Creek area within District 6. We will continue to monitor these areas closely and respond with an increase in mosquito control treatments as necessary.
INVASIVE MOSQUITOES
Since 2011 the invasive mosquitoes Aedes aegypti (Yellow Fever mosquito) and Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito) have been spreading rapidly throughout California. These are small dark mosquitoes that bite aggressively during the day and prefer to dwell in urban areas both indoors and outdoors. They prefer to bite people especially around the ankles, wrists and elbows.
Invasive Aedes and all mosquito species require water to begin their four stage (egg, larva, pupa and adult) lifecycle which is complete in 7-10 days. Only female mosquitoes bite and they lay individual eggs on the sides of common backyard containers such as plant saucers, buckets and pet bowls. Invasive mosquitoes require a very small amount of water and can even breed in a bottle cap. Invasive Aedes eggs are resistant to drying out and can survive for many months. Invasive mosquitoes pose a public health threat because can transmit debilitating diseases including Zika, dengue and chikungunya. None of these viruses are currently known to be transmitted in California, but thousands of people are infected in other parts of the world, including in Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Asia. The presence of these invasive mosquitoes in our area pose a threat for local virus transmission from returning travelers that may be infected.
3 Aedes aegypti were detected for the first time within District boundaries in 2019 in Citrus Heights in Sacramento County and have rapidly spread to multiple locations since then. Invasive mosquitoes were first found within the city of Sacramento in October 2021 in Camellia Park and the surrounding areas of Elder Creek Rd. within District 6. Last year in August, Aedes aegypti were found for the first time along Northgate Blvd and in September, Aedes albopictus were also detected in the same area for the first time ever within the District.
Since then, unfortunately these infestations of invasive mosquitoes have been getting larger and this year there have been ongoing detections.
In response to finding invasive mosquitoes the District routinely monitors Aedes populations using specialized traps throughout Sacramento and Yolo counties to detect new infestations. In addition, field technicians conduct door to door inspections in affected areas looking for potential mosquito breeding sites, making appropriate treatments as necessary and talking to residents about preventive measures around their home.
WHAT CAN RESIDENTS DO TO HELP FIGHT THE BITE?
Remember to apply a good insect repellent when spending time outdoors At least once a week check your property and drain standing water from plant saucers, buckets, kiddie pools, dog dishes, old tired, wheelbarrows and trash cans. Clean and scrub containers that can hold water
Repair leaky faucets and re-direct sprinklers so containers are not filled with water Install screens on windows and doors and keep them in good repair to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
Empty bird baths and fountains regularly
4 Clean rain gutters that may be clogged with leaves
Cover bins, buckets, rain barrels with fitted lids
Keep potential sources dry when not in use
FREE DISTRICT SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR ALL RESIDENTS
If you are having problems with mosquitoes, request a free home service inspection Mosquitofish are available for your pond, fountain or watering trough Mosquito repellent wipes for senior centers, neighborhood associations, service groups, sports leagues, summer camps and homeowners
Presentations for schools, community groups and neighborhood associations To request any of our services or to report a mosquito breeding problem visit www.FIGHTtheBITE.net or call us at 1-800-429-1022