Vector Control

  Mosquito Spraying & Monitoring

  Rodents

 

A Vector is a carrier of disease from one host to another.  Examples would be mosquitoes, flies, roaches, fleas, ticks, lice and rodents. The most common ones we deal with are mosquitoes and rodents.

City of San Marcos Environmental Health offers assistance to the public in dealing with these pests through information, education, treatment strategies and chemical applications.

    Why do we need mosquito control programs?

Without control programs the mosquito population would flourish and cause potential health and comfort problems.  From a    health standpoint, mosquitoes are known carriers of encephalitis, malaria and the yellow fever and dengue viruses.  Mosquito-borne diseases cause more than one million deaths each year around the world.  Mosquito bites can also infect a pet with the deadly canine heartworm.

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    How can we best control mosquito breeding?

By identifying their breeding sites and preventing the larvae from maturing to adults.  Preventing larval development into adult mosquitoes can be accomplished by eliminating breeding sites.  Check for standing water around your home and neighborhood. Dump the water out or notify Environmental Health at 512.393.8440 for treatment in the case of larger bodies of water.

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    Is it necessary to spray for adult mosquitoes in populated

      areas?

Yes.  An integrated program involves stopping mosquitoes in both the larval and adult stages.  Mosquitoes can travel several miles, which can override local larval control efforts.  This can then result in the need for adult mosquito control.

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    Are the insecticides being used for controlling mosquitoes

      dangerous?

No.  Insecticides are the most rigorously tested of all chemicals.  They meet stringent standards before they are registered for use by the Environmental Protection Agency.  When properly used by trained professionals, insecticides do their job and biodegrade quickly.

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    Are there methods other than the use of insecticides for

      controlling mosquitoes?

Various control methods are constantly under review.  One effective approach involves the use of mosquito fish, which can be stocked in mosquito breeding sites to feed upon the larvae.  Incidentally, studies have shown that many homeowner methods such as bug zappers, bird and bat houses and citronella plants eliminate only a very small percentage of the mosquito population.  In fact, many beneficial insects suffer the effects of these devices as well.

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