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Several species of mosquitoes are found in these types of water sources, including Aedes melanimon, Aedes nigromaculis, and Culex tarsalis. The first two species are not known to transmit disease, but they are aggressive daytime-biting mosquitoes that can fly up to 20 miles from where they initially developed. While they are considered nuisance mosquitoes, they can significantly impact people’s ability to enjoy the outdoors. The third species, Culex tarsalis, is one of the main vectors (carriers) of West Nile virus. Mosquito activity is typically highest during the warmer months of the year, but when warm weather persists into the fall, mosquito activity also persists, as does the risk of disease transmission.
The Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District (District) works diligently to educate waterfowl habitat and duck club proprietors, requesting they wait to use their water control structures to flood their wetlands until the middle of October when summer weather subsides and temperatures typically become cooler.
“Ongoing communication and collaboration with landowners of these designated wetlands regarding ways to properly minimize mosquito production is crucial to ensure duck club patrons and residents who reside nearby can continue to enjoy the outdoors as the summer concludes,” said David Wexler, Operations Manager. “We look forward to our continued public health partnership with the landowners of these wetlands."
The District’s trained and certified technicians routinely inspect these wetland areas for mosquitoes year-round. Residents are also encouraged to report mosquito issues by calling (925) 685-9301 or online.
Working together with wetland landowners is just another example of how the District strives to protect public health. And, as always, we appreciate residents like yourself being our "eyes and ears" to potential mosquito issues here in Contra Costa County.
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