News

4.18.24

With April well under way, it’s mosquito season in Tulare County.

Lori Berger, Trustee representing the City of Visalia on the Delta Mosquito and Vector Control District Board, recently reminded the community that it’s up to all of us to help prevent the bite day and night.

Presenting to the Visalia City Council at the Monday, April 15, 2024, meeting, Berger provided an update on the Control District and the work they are doing specifically in Visalia.

A 30-year resident of Visalia and an agricultural Entomologist with a “bug background," Berger noted that Delta Vector performs surveillance year-round.

There are several mosquitos of concern in Tulare County, but there are 100s of mosquito species overall. The three most important ones that are seen in Visalia and Tulare County have been identified as Anopheles, Aedes aegypti and Culex.

Berger shared that mosquitos are responsible for more deaths across the world than any other bug, animal, or human.

“It really is an important aspect of our environment that we need to be aware of,” noted Burger.

The City of Visalia, under Delta Vector jurisdiction, is a part of a network of pest control districts in Tulare County and across the state. Delta Vector services not just Visalia, but communities ranging from Exeter to Goshen and Traver to Orosi.

The mission of the District is to monitor populations, protect the health of the public and reduce the annoyance factor of mosquitos and other organisms that might transmit disease.

“Ultimately we’re here to make Tulare County a safe place to live, work and raise a family,” provided Berger.

With a container of live mosquito fish and a mosquito trap on display, Berger noted that Delta Vector tested over 7,000 mosquito samples last year. In 2023, the District received 1,157 service requests and completed 80,490 treatments.

“A lot of people think when you talk about pest control, you’re talking about spraying pesticides. And actually, most people, most professionals in pest control, or pest management, that’s the last thing we want,” said Berger. “What we as citizens and community members want to do is prevent these organisms getting out and about.”

Fighting the Bite

Prevention is a key piece of Delta Vector’s work, as is community outreach and education for the public.

April through September is mosquito season, and the public is urged to help “fight the bite” by reducing mosquito breeding sources.

“A female will lay her egg in a volume less than a teaspoon,” stated Berger. “This is something we all need to be aware of at many levels.”

The most effective way to control mosquitoes is to eliminate any standing water, since mosquitoes cannot develop without water. Without standing water, mosquitoes will not grow into biting adults that can spread disease.

Berger noted that Delta Vector does not just monitor mosquitos, there are other diseases and pests that the public should be aware of. While Delta Vector’s major focus is mosquitos, they always want to be knowledgeable about other insects that could impact public health.

“We need the community to participate in their own backyards and their workplaces,” added Berger, noting it is community coordination that will most effectively address the issue of mosquitos and the spread of mosquito borne disease.

Contact Delta Mosquito & Vector Control District

To make a service request with Delta Mosquito & Vector Control District, visit them online here.

To contact Delta Mosquito & Vector Control District, call 559-732-8606 or visit them in-person at 1737 W. Houston Ave., Visalia, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.