Mosquito Treatment Information
The Vector Control Program controls mosquitoes using a method called Integrated Vector Management (IVM). This method uses many different tools working together to reduce mosquitoes and protect public health. IVM lowers the risk of mosquitoes spreading diseases and protects the environment. One important IVM tool is removing standing water where mosquitoes breed by dumping out water that collects in flowerpot saucers, buckets, and other containers every week.
We also use other IVM tools to lower mosquito numbers such as:
Larval Mosquito Control
Young mosquitoes, or mosquito larvae, live in standing water. Most of the treatments we do target mosquito larvae to stop them before they become biting adults. Products that kill mosquito larvae are called larvicides.
Trained technicians check places that can hold water and breed mosquitoes like marshes, ditches, and unmaintained swimming pools and treat them with larvicides when needed. Small water sources are treated by hand or truck and large or difficult to reach sites are treated by helicopter during the mosquito season (April-October).
People who live in San Diego can report sources of mosquito breeding to the Vector Control Program online or by calling (858) 694-2888
Mosquitofish
Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) eat young mosquitoes living in the water. They are a natural way to get rid of mosquitoes in artificial sources of water.
We provide mosquitofish free to the public so that they can be put in unmaintained pools, fountains, backyard ponds, and animal troughs that are breeding mosquitoes.
Mosquitofish should never be placed in any natural habitat such
as lakes, streams, rivers, or creeks as they may compete with native
fish.
Bacterial Larvicides
Bacterial larvicides are made of different natural bacteria that kill mosquito larvae but don't harm people, pets, plants, or wildlife.
Examples are:
• Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis
•
Lysinibacillus (Bacillus) sphaericus
• Saccharopolyspora spinosa products
Many bacterial larvicides are also available for home
use.
In most cases, bacterial larvicides are applied by hand or by truck.
During the mosquito season (April-October) we use a helicopter to drop
granules of bacterial larvicide into large areas of water that are
known to breed mosquitoes but cannot be treated from the ground.
View treatment schedule with list of sites treated by helicopter or sign up for email updates.
Other Larval Treatments
We may also use other products to get rid of mosquito larvae. Insect growth regulators stop mosquito larvae from growing into adult mosquitoes. Larvicide oils prevent young mosquitoes from breathing at the water’s surface.
Adult Mosquito Control
Products that kill adult mosquitoes are called adulticides. We use adulticides to quickly reduce mosquito numbers, especially when there is a high risk of disease spread. People who live in affected areas will be given at least 24 hours' notice before treatments begin.
(858) 694-2888
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