Navigating Yellowjacket Season: Staying Sting-Free at Outdoor Eats!As we soak in the last rays of summer sun, it's prime time for sizzling BBQs and al fresco feasting. However, there's one uninvited guest (or multiple…
Safeguarding Your Best Friend - Tips and Tricks to Protect Your Dog from Canine HeartwormAs the weather warms up and spring turns to summer, it's important to remember that mosquitoes are not just a nuisance, but also a potential health…
The Buzz Stops Here: How to Keep Mosquitoes Away After the RainHeavy rain and flooding after a severe drought can lead to an increase in mosquito populations and a higher risk of mosquito-borne disease. With your…
Tick bite prevention begins with you!Although different species and life stages come out at different times of the year, in Marin and Sonoma counties, ticks can be found year-round. We…
Five ways to rodent-proof your compost binComposting is a great way to manage your waste. Not only will you be sustainably recycling the food scraps and yard trimmings you generate all year…
How do I know if rats have taken up residence in my home?Rats aren’t necessarily picky about where they take up residence. If they have water, shelter and food, rats will survive. However, they are more…
We’re on the lookout for invasive mosquitoes, and you should be too!Nearly 10 years ago, two invasive mosquito species (Aedes albopictus, the Asian tiger mosquito, and Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito) were…
Mosquitoes continue to thrive despite lack of rain.Lack of rain does not necessarily mean a lack of mosquitoes. In residential areas, utility vaults and the catch basins that allow rainwater to drain…
Protecting Public Health from Mosquitoes and Vector-borne Diseases—It’s All About Integrated Vector ManagementMosquitoes are more than just a nuisance. Not only can their bites cause severe allergic reactions, but they can also spread debilitating diseases…
Ways to minimize rats in your gardenIt’s spring, and that means many people are starting their yearly process of planting their gardens. A garden can be a smorgasbord for rodents…
Keep your pets safe from mosquitoes and ticksHumans aren’t the only ones that can get diseases from mosquitoes and ticks—your pets can too! Pets are important members of your family and rely on…
Landscaping tips to keep ticks at bayHave you ever thought about your own backyard when it comes to protecting yourself and your pets from ticks? Most backyards aren’t prime habitat for…
Think it’s too cold for ticks? Think again!Ixodes pacificus, the western black-legged tick, is not deterred by the cold weather we have been experiencing lately in the North Bay. In fact, last…
The five most common questions about rodents and rodent controlEach year we receive hundreds of calls seeking advice on how to control or prevent rodent issues in and around homes. Here are answers to the five…
What makes us such tasty treats for hungry mosquitoes?In our last newsletter we discussed how yellowjackets have a knack for ruining backyard barbeques, so we would be remiss if we didn’t mention another…
Oh, the woes of yellowjacket season. Why do they want my food and how can I get rid of them?Nothing ruins a relaxing backyard barbecue more than an army of yellowjackets trying to get a bite of your juicy, protein-packed meal. Well, nothing…
How mosquitofish can help protect you from mosquitoesMosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) were first introduced into California for the control of mosquito larvae in the 1920’s and continue to be an important…
A Closer Look: MSMVCD’s Mosquito-Borne Virus Surveillance ProgramThe Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District (the District) maintains a multifaceted surveillance program for viruses transmitted by…
Mosquitoes can thrive despite drought conditionsAre your water conservation methods producing mosquitoes?
A Closer Look: MSMVCD’s Tick and Tick-Borne Disease Surveillance ProgramThroughout the year, District laboratory staff collect ticks of different species and life stages from trails in state, regional, and local parks and…
Q&A with the Scientific Programs ManagerMeet Dr. Kelly Liebman, Scientific Programs Manager at the District! Kelly has been studying and working with vector-borne diseases for more than 15…
Treehole Mosquitoes & Dog HeartwormSpring is the prime time for the emergence of the western treehole mosquito, also known as Aedes sierrensis. As the name suggests, these mosquitoes…
Five simple ways to discourage rats from entering your homeRodents aren’t picky about where they take up residence. They can be found in well-maintained homes, yards with overgrown vegetation, and homes with…
Are mosquitoes robbing you of a good night’s sleep?You are cozy and warm in your bed, having just dozed off to sleep, when you are suddenly awakened by the buzzing sound of a mosquito in your ear. You…
Tips for keeping your rain barrel mosquito-freeRain barrels that are not screened or are improperly maintained can become a major source of mosquito production. One rain barrel has the potential to…
The Three Most Common Tick Species in Marin and Sonoma CountiesNovember 2020-Ticks are active year-round in Marin and Sonoma counties. Ticks are blood-sucking arthropods that can transmit a variety of diseases…
Don’t be fooled by the fall season, mosquitoes are still active!September 2020-The primary mission of the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District is to protect public health from mosquitoes and vector-…
Got rats? We can help you keep rats from moving into your home.August 2020 - Most people associate rodent infestations with dilapidated homes covered in overgrown vegetation and junk strewn all over the yard, but…
Help! I know I have a yellowjacket nest in my backyard but I can’t find it!July 2020- One of the most commonly asked questions we receive this time of year is, “How do I locate an underground yellowjacket nest?” Locating…
Aren't all mosquitoes the same?June 2020-Some people may say if you have seen one mosquito you have seen them all but, mosquitoes are much more complex than people give them credit…
Mosquito Control is EssentialJune 2020-As we all navigate the challenges of daily life and adapt to the new normal presented to us by the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing remains the…
Mosquito look-a-likes out in force.May 2020- During this time of year, the District receives numerous calls from the public regarding large swarms of mosquitoes in backyards and along…
The Asian giant hornet. What's in a name?May 2020- The name “Asian giant hornet” (Vespa mandarinia) is pretty descriptive—it accurately reveals the insect’s origin, size and the fact that it…
Marin/Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control District Office Closure & Service ModificationMarch 2020 - Per the California Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the District is taking the following…
On the hunt for vector-borne diseasesFebruary 2020 -Throughout the year, District laboratory staff collect ticks of different species and life stages from trails in state, regional, and…
Collect Rainwater, not mosquitoes.With the rainfall the North Bay experienced this past month we thought it was the perfect time to start talking about rainwater harvesting.
It's winter-mosquitoes are gone...or are they?The last thing on people's minds during the winter is mosquitoes. In fact, most people think that mosquitoes just disappear this time of year. The…
Have rodents taken up residence in your home?Rodents aren’t picky about where they take up residence. They can be found in well-maintained homes, as well as in yards with overgrown vegetation and…
Mosquito prevention after heavy rainfall and flooding.Heavy rain and flooding can lead to increased mosquito production. With more water comes more mosquitoes and a higher risk of mosquito-borne disease…
What's TICKing in the lab?Februry 2019-This year’s tick season is in full swing. With the heavy rains over the past few months, the adult ticks have been hiding out and staying…