The San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District (District) has detected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Stockton. The first detection was from a sample of mosquitoes collected on August 6, 2019, in the vicinity of Brookside. “Our goal is to control and limit the presence of this invasive mosquito species,” said Ed Lucchesi, Manager of the District. “We are doing everything possible to ensure these mosquitoes do not become established in our communities; however, this type of mosquito can be very difficult to eliminate,” said Lucchesi.
The District is increasing surveillance efforts by placing additional traps used to collect adult mosquitoes and mosquito eggs. Additionally, the District’s staff is conducting door to door inspections of the residential area near the recent Aedes aegypti detection. The boundaries for the inspections are north to March Lane, south to the Diverting Canal, east to I-5, west to the Stockton Deep Water Channel.
Aedes aegypti is not native to California; however, it is a common mosquito in some urban areas of the southeastern United States and Arizona. Recently this species was detected in Stanislaus County. Elsewhere in California, Aedes aegypti have been found in Fresno, Madera, Merced, and San Mateo counties and numerous areas in southern California. Aedes aegypti has the potential to transmit several viruses, including dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever. These viruses are not currently transmitted by mosquitoes in California. Aedes aegypti is a small (about ¼ inch) black and white mosquito that bites aggressively during the day. The public can help prevent the spread of these invasive mosquitoes by calling in daytime biting mosquitoes to the District.
The public’s help is crucial in controlling the spread of this mosquito population. Aedes aegypti lays its eggs just above the water line in small containers and vessels that hold water, such as dishes under potted plants, bird baths, ornamental fountains, tin cans, or discarded tires. Residents should inspect around their yard and outside their home and dump out even the smallest amount of standing water. Be sure to clean and scrub bird baths and pet watering dishes weekly and dump the water from overflow dishes under potted plants. Also, remove any unnecessary containers and trash around properties.