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Pleasanton and Livermore residents are being urged to keep an eye out for an invasive species of mosquito after Alameda County officials said they discovered larva from that specific species at the fairgrounds last month and two adult mosquitos in two separate locations in Livermore last week.
According to a press release from the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District, an Aedes aegypti mosquito larva was found in a trap set by the abatement district in the fairgrounds on July 30. The non-native mosquito is known to be an aggressive insect that bites throughout the day — typically targeting the area near the ankle — and could spread diseases and illnesses such as dengue, Zika, and yellow fever.
“These mosquitoes are container breeders, laying their eggs just above the waterline in small, artificial water sources such as buckets, pet dishes, fountains, bird baths, plant saucers and old tires,” the district stated in its Aug. 4 press release. “Once laid, the eggs can survive for over a year without water.”
Prior to last month’s discovery, the mosquito was found in Pleasanton last October, marking its first detection in the county in a decade.
After finding the larva, the abatement district responded the next day by “increasing our mosquito monitoring, inspection, and treatment efforts at the Alameda County Fairgrounds and surrounding neighborhoods,” according to Eric Haas-Stapleton, laboratory director of the abatement district.
The district is also conducting “intensive follow-up trapping”.
“It’s important to note that the larvae was collected from a trap that contains a material that keeps mosquitoes from growing, eventually eliminating larvae and adults, and is also spread to other breeding sites that the adult mosquito visits,” Haas-Stapleton said.
Last week also marked the first time ever that the abatement district detected the species of mosquitoes in Livermore. According to an Aug. 8 press release from the abatement district, one adult Aedes aegypti mosquito was discovered in an industrial area near the Livermore Water Reclamation Plant, between Isabel Avenue and Jack London Boulevard.
A second adult mosquito was detected southeast of Jack Williams Park, between Holmes Street and Alden Lane.
The abatement district responded to these detections by going door to door in both detection zones to inspect potential mosquito breeding sites — including yards and outdoor spaces — and conducting additional follow-up trapping similar to the efforts in Pleasanton.
“We responded by inspecting public and private properties near the detection zones in cooperation with Livermore residents, business owners and city staff,” said Ryan Clausnitzer, the general manager for the abatement district, in the Aug. 8 press release. “The quickest way to prevent this annoying and potentially dangerous mosquito species from becoming established is to act now. We urge residents to grant yard access so we can ensure no one is accidentally breeding mosquitoes.”
The district is also urging Alameda County residents — primarily in Pleasanton and Livermore — to do their part in helping eliminate the possibility of the mosquito population growing.
“If Aedes aegypti becomes established in Alameda County, it can threaten public health and diminish quality of life, as these mosquitoes are highly aggressive and active during daylight hours,” according to the July 30 district press release. “Though not native to California, Aedes aegypti is now found in at least 26 counties across the state, including neighboring counties.”
Residents can help prevent the mosquito from permanently establishing itself in the county by scrubbing containers, which can dislodge the eggs and prevent them from being transported to new locations, and inspecting their properties for standing water, which is the most typical breeding habitat for the mosquito.
“Aedes aegypti eggs are extremely small and often mistaken for dirt or seeds. This mosquito can grow from an egg to an adult in as little as a bottle cap of water,” according to the abatement district. “The adult mosquito is a little less than a quarter-inch long, with black and white stripes on its back and legs. It usually only bites people and does not fly long distances, typically less than 300 feet from where it hatches.”
To protect yourself from mosquito bites, the county is advising residents to apply insect repellents, wear long-sleeved clothing when mosquitoes are most active, ensuring windows or door screens are in good condition and reporting mosquito bites immediately to the abatement district.
