Mosquito and Vector Services

The Northwest Mosquito Abatement District was formed on December 28, 1959, to control mosquitoes in the northwest portion of Riverside County, encompassing 150 square miles. On August 16, 1993, the District added services to control all important vectors and changed its name to the Northwest Mosquito & Vector Control District.

At present, the District provides vector control services (mosquito, flies, rats, Africanized honeybees, black flies, midges, and occasionally other vectors of minor public health importance) over an area of 350 square miles with a population of approximately 850,000. Northwest Mosquito & Vector Control District's mission is to protect public health from vectors and vector-borne diseases in the most cost-effective and efficient way.

Service Request

Experiencing problems with mosquitos, bees, rats, flies, or ticks? Submit a service request here.

Vectors

Mosquitoes

All mosquitoes must have standing water to complete their life cycle. It only takes 7 days for a mature mosquito to develop from an egg during warm weather. Mosquitoes do not hatch in grass or shrubbery unless standing water lies beneath them. Adults may be seen resting in these areas.

Jurupa Valley Mosquito Treatments 2022

How to Prevent Breeding:

• For pools, operate a filter or skimmer every day to remove egg rafts and larvae.
• Remove rainwater from your pool cover.
• Stock "out of order" pools with mosquito fish.
• Change water in animal troughs weekly.
• Dispose of unused containers that will collect rain or sprinkler water, such as barrels, cans, jars, old tires, buckets, etc.
• Stock ornamental ponds with mosquito fish.

Rodents

Rat control is a community effort. If you have rats, so do your neighbors, and vice versa. In some cases, rats may spread germs such as the bubonic plague, typhus, and other filth-borne diseases.

How Rats Enter Homes:

• Attic vent and louvers.
• Gaps near the chimney and roof.
• Vent pipes and shafts.
• Tile roofs along eaves.
• Pipe and cable entrances.
• Keep landscaping neat and trim.

Bees

Africanized honeybees (AHB) are descendants of escaped African bees imported from Brazil in an attempt to improve honey production. AHB arrived in Southern California in 1994, colonizing Riverside County in 1998. They have essentially displaced feral European honeybees in Riverside County, and are now the dominant wild bee encountered.

If Attacked by AHB:

• Run in a straight line.
• Cover and protect your head (pull jacket or shirt overhead).
• Find shelter in a building or car.
• Do not jump in the water.
• Remove stingers when safe.
• Call 911.
• Seek medical attention.
• Report multiple stinging incidents.

If Stung:

• Remove the stinger as soon as possible.
• Scrape the stinger(s) with your fingernail or dull thin object.
• Wash the sting area with soap and water.
• Apply an ice pack for a few minutes to relieve pain and swelling.
• If a serious reaction (i.e., difficulty breathing, blood pressure, drop), seek medical attention immediately.

Flies

Domestic flies, while often a nuisance, can also transmit germs to people. They are attracted to foul odors from garbage, sewage, manure, grass clippings, pet droppings, and decomposing animal and plant waste. Flies have hairy legs (pads), and most have sponging mouthparts (proboscis), allowing them to pick up and deposit germs and bacteria on food, open sores or cuts, drinking water, and cooking utensils.

Fly Control Tips:

• Keep all garbage in containers with tightly fitting lids or sealed bags.
• Grass clippings should be composted or spread thin to allow drying. Remove twice weekly if possible.
• Pick up pet and animal droppings daily to avoid attraction and breeding. Dispose of in closed containers or keep buried.
• Rinse out trash cans often.
• Make sure all windows and door screens are tight-fitting with no gaps.
• The traditional fly swatter can still be effective against occasional flies that enter the home.

Ticks

Ticks are in the arachnid family, which makes them related to spiders. As ectoparasites, they attach to animals, pets, and people using complex mouthparts resembling a "harpoon." While they are attached, they suck blood for several days, dropping off once engorged.

Preventing Tick Bites:

• Wear light-colored clothing to spot crawling ticks.
• Apply insect repellent containing DEET following the directions on the label.
• Check regularly for ticks when outdoors.
• Examine skin and scalp upon returning. Also, inspect pets.