The Start of Spring Brings Spring Cleaning

MOSQUITO BYTES NEWSLETTER

THE START OF SPRING BRINGS SPRING CLEANING

Reduce the Risk of Disease from Rats or Mice... And Remember to Dump Out Water to Prevent Mosquitoes

On this first day of spring, after some rain this week, and with increased temperatures next week, we may see a return of the mosquitoes that can transmit West Nile virus (WNV) soon because they often make their first appearance of the year in springtime.

So, it's time to dump out any amount of water in your front and back yard at least once a week, if not more often, to prevent mosquitoes.

Something else that happens at the start of spring is spring cleaning. And after a long cold, wet winter, it's not uncommon for folks to find rat or mouse droppings as they move the patio furniture from the garage back to the patio, or the potted plants from the shed back outdoors.

Recent news reports have mentioned hantavirus, which, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), is a virus found in rat and mouse urine, droppings, and saliva. The virus can be transmitted to people if they breathe air contaminated with the virus, and can cause a serious and potentially fatal lung infection.

In California, hantavirus is most frequently associated with the deer mouse, which is commonly found in or near rural and open space areas of the inland and coastal foothills. This CDPH map shows where hantavirus exposures have occurred from 1980 - 2024.

While the map does not show hantavirus infections in Contra Costa County, rats and mice can transmit the causative agents of a number of bacterial and viral diseases.

When cleaning up evidence of rat and mouse activity, it is very important to remember not to sweep or vacuum droppings or nesting materials because that can spread contaminated dust, making it possible to inhale the dust and putting you at risk of disease.

To reduce the risk of any rat and mouse-related diseases, follow these simple steps to protect yourself and your family.

Open the garage or shed door 30 minutes before moving the patio furniture or potted plants to air out the area.
Then, after putting on a dust filter mask (N95 or N100) and disposable gloves, pour a 10% bleach solution (or purchased bleach-based disinfectant spray) onto any evidence of rats and mice including visible droppings and/or nesting materials.
Once the droppings and nesting materials are completely wet from the bleach solution, use paper towels to wipe up the droppings and nesting materials and place the paper towels in a bag.
When the clean-up is finished, take the gloves off so that the inside of the gloves face outward and place the gloves in the bag. Wash your hands, and then remove your mask and place it into the bag, too. Then, close the bag and place it in an outdoor trash can.

As winter has turned to spring, it is important to take steps to protect yourself and your family from the insects and other animals that can hurt you or make you sick.

Reduce the risk of mosquitoes by dumping out standing water of any amount at least once a week.
And never sweep or vacuum rat and mouse droppings or nesting materials. Carefully clean them up using the tips above.

If you experience mosquitoes, particularly daytime biting mosquitoes, or rats, or mice on your property, contact the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District (District) and request the District's public health service for rats, mice, or mosquitoes to protect yourself and your family from the insects and other animals that can hurt you or make you sick. After all, that is what, the word, "Vector" means in the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District's name.

Contra Costa Mosquito and 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.

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