Mild temperatures and record rainfalls are likely to lead to increased mosquito activity across California, according to vector control experts. Mosquito vector control districts and county health officials from San Diego to the Sacramento Valley expect mosquito, flea, and tick populations to thrive this summer.
"Yes, we are worried about mosquitos this year," said Nizza Sequeira, Public Information Officer for the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District in an interview with FOX Weather. "When we have a year and receive so much rainwater as we did this past season, you're going to see a lot of areas that have been dry for a number of years collecting water."
Mosquitoes – which can breed in spaces as small as a bottlecap or plant saucer – are a serious public health threat. They can carry and transmit many disease pathogens that are harmful to humans and animals, including chikungunya, dengue, eastern equine and Japanese encephalitis, malaria, West Nile virus, yellow fever, and Zika.
Public mosquito and vector control agencies monitor and treat for mosquitoes in waterways, catch basins, and areas accessible to the public, but private property is often not covered by their treatments.
And with the conditions primed for a breakout mosquito season ahead, the hard work these agencies do may not be enough to protect your home from these annoying pests.
Mosquito control solutions
California is home to more than 50 mosquito species, but you only need to be aware of three of them – Culex, Aedes, and Anopheles mosquitoes.
Clark, your local mosquito, termite, rodent, and grounds care expert, knows that excess water is ground zero for mosquitoes, and that’s where Clark Pest Control’s licensed and highly trained professionals can help. Clark Pest Control’s Swat-Away mosquito control service uses a three-pronged approach to target mosquitoes at different life stages.
- Remove and treat breeding sites: First, any standing water, a breeding source for mosquitoes, that can be eliminated is removed. Wherever standing water remains, larvicide tablets are applied to kill any mosquito larvae left in the water.
- Install and service a mosquito defense station: Next, a station is installed that targets female mosquitoes laying their eggs. This is important, as female mosquitoes, which need a protein from blood meals to create their eggs, are the ones that bite. The station contaminates them with a biological fungus that eventually kills the insect, but not before it can be spread to other mosquitoes as she travels to additional bodies of water to lay more eggs. This treatment turns the mosquitoes’ own biology against them, passing the fungus to any hidden breeding sites in your yard.
- Treat mosquito resting areas: Finally, Clark technicians will apply a product designed for long-lasting mosquito control to foliage and shady areas where mosquitoes are known to rest. While Clark’s Pest-Away service targets treatment to cracks and crevices where crawling pests hide, its Swat-Away mosquito control service uses a broadcast application to cover mosquito resting areas. This thorough coverage will ensure that the product remains effective against resting mosquitoes until the next time your property is serviced.
Mosquito control done right from Clark
To get ahead of mosquito season this year, call, or text Clark Pest Control at (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) or email us at clarkcares@clarkpest.com. Until next time, the pest management professionals at Clark Pest Control thank you for helping to keep unwanted pests out of your home and yard.