For more detailed information on these District services, continue reading.

During the District's mosquito service, a District employee will visit the residential property and will inspect the front and back yards for signs of mosquito development. If there is a water feature, such as a decorative pond or a no-longer-in-use swimming pool or hot tub, the District employee will inspect the water feature for possible mosquito activity, and determine the appropriate course of action which may include placing mosquitofish in the water feature to prevent future mosquito activity. The District employee will also provide the resident with recommendations on what to do to reduce the risk of mosquitoes on private property.

If the resident has a chance to swat one or more of the mosquitoes that are present on the property and place the dead mosquitoes in a clear plastic bag, the mosquitoes in the bag may provide helpful information to the District employee.

While providing this service, a District employee will visit the residential property, and inspect the property for evidence of a rat or mouse such as rub marks, droppings, or nesting material. The District employee will provide advice about specific things that can be done to reduce the risk of rats or mice on the property as well as written materials with additional information on rat and mouse prevention.

The District's skunk service consists of a District employee inspecting the residential property for signs of a skunk den. If there is evidence of a skunk den or signs of a skunk accessing the property, the District employee will provide assistance by showing the resident where and what prevention efforts should be taken on the property. The District employee will also provide written information on skunk prevention and may provide specific notes regarding the property.

There are four species of ticks that commonly bite people

in Contra Costa County, but only the Western black-legged tick is known to transmit the causative agent of Lyme disease.

To receive the District's tick identification service, after a Contra Costa County resident removes a tick from a person or pet, the resident must place the tick in a clear plastic Ziploc-style bag or sealed clear container, and place the bag or container into an envelope, along with the resident's contact information. Then, send the tick to the District or drop it off at the District office. The District's laboratory staff will identify the submitted tick and respond to the resident using the contact information provided, usually within two business days. If the tick is a Western black-legged tick, and the resident wants to have it tested for the causative agent of Lyme disease, the District will return the tick and provide a list of laboratories that can test the tick for the causative agents of Lyme disease; however, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) does not recommend tick testing. For more information, CDPH provides this set of questions and answers regarding tick testing.

Ground-nesting yellowjackets are a type of wasp that can

build nests in abandoned rodent burrows, in between railroad ties, and in other voids underground. Because they are underground, Contra Costa County residents may not know these wasps are present; however, when a resident steps on a nest, mows over the nest, or bumps into the nest while gardening, the yellowjackets will emerge to protect their nest. Ground-nesting yellowjackets can sting and bite repeatedly, which is painful for an unsuspecting resident, but for those who are allergic to wasp venom, the bites and stings can be dangerous. This is why the District provides ground-nesting yellowjacket service.

Contra Costa County residents can request the District's ground-nesting yellowjacket

service after first finding the nest, placing a garden tool, old shoe, or other visible items near the nest, and then leaving a basic map of the area where the nest is located taped to a side gate or front door. Be sure to indicate on the map what item was used to mark the nest location. The District employee who responds to the request for service will use the map and items left to mark the nest to locate the nest. Once the District employee locates the nest and confirms it is ground-nesting yellowjackets, the District employee will treat the nest and leave the resident with instructions on how to approach the nest post-treatment.

to the Mount Diablo Beekeeper’s Association or residents may contact a colony removal

Contra Costa County residents can request a District service for their own property. County residents may also report mosquito issues at a neglected swimming pool on a neighbor's property or in public spaces, such as a park. When a resident reports a neglected swimming pool on another residential property, the District cannot provide an update to the reporting resident due to privacy concerns.

And if you are interested in information regarding any other insect or other animal, please visit the UC Davis Integrated Pest Management website, because the services listed above are the only services the District provides to Contra Costa County residents.

Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District, an independent special district and public health agency, is located at 155 Mason Circle in Concord. Contact the District to report mosquito and vector problems online or at (925) 685-9301.