MOSQUITO BYTES NEWSLETTER
REPORT DEAD BIRDS TO REDUCE RISK OF WEST NILE VIRUS

Plus, Preventing Mosquitoes at Home and What's the Most Effective Repellent?
August marks the dog days of summer with its long sunny days and warm nights. It's the perfect time of year for an evening walk.

As you walk around your neighborhood, the Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District (District) would like you to keep an eye open for birds — dead birds in particular because they are often the first sign of West Nile virus (WNV) in a particular area.
Dead Bird Reports Help the District Reduce the Risk of WNV for Contra Costa County Residents
How Birds Play a Role In West Nile Virus Transmission

  • Certain birds carry WNV.
  • Mosquitoes can become infected when they bite an infected bird.
  • Mosquitoes can spread the virus when they bite another bird or person.

Some infected birds, particularly crows and jays, can die from WNV. When they do, and someone finds that bird, the District asks residents to report dead birds to the California West Nile virus and Dead Bird Call Center.

"Dead bird reports are very important because when a resident reports a dead bird, the District receives information on the location of the bird. That information is vital in pinpointing where the District needs to focus efforts to reduce the risk of WNV, " said the District's Scientific Program Manager Steve Schutz, Ph.D.

So, the next time you find a dead bird while on your evening walk, or on your own property, please report the dead bird by phone at 877-WNV-BIRD (877-968-2473) or https://www.westnile.ca.gov. Operators take reports over the phone from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Online reports can be submitted at any time.
PREVENTING MOSQUITOES AT HOME

It's As Simple as Dumping out Water, If You Know Where to Look

Mosquitoes need water to develop from egg to biting adult. To reduce the risk of mosquitoes at home, dump out any standing water on your property. While that sounds simple enough, the key is to know where to look because mosquitoes will find even the smallest amount of water in the least obvious location.
This graphic shows the obvious and not so obvious places where standing water can attract mosquitoes. By dumping out standing water all around your front and backyard, you're working to protect your family from mosquitoes.
WHAT'S THE MOST EFFECTIVE REPELLENT?

Make Sure the Repellent is EPA Registered
According to the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC), repellents that are registered by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and contain one of the following active ingredients are safe and effective when used as directed.

  • DEET
  • Picaridin
  • IR3535
  • Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
  • Para-menthane-diol
  • 2-undecanone
EPA-registered Mosquito Repellents are Effective at Preventing Mosquito Bites
By applying mosquito repellent at times when mosquitoes are present, most often just before and after sunrise and sunset, you can reduce the risk of mosquito bites and mosquito-borne disease including WNV. For more information, check out the EPA's Insect Repellents section at https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-repellent-right-you.
Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District, an independent special district and public health agency, is located at 155 Mason Circle in Concord. Contact the District to report mosquito and vector problems online or at (925) 685-9301.