It is important to avoid introduction of invasive mosquitoes to our County and to limit their spread where they have been introduced. Keeping invasive Aedes mosquitoes out of our county reduces not only lots of annoying daytime biting, but also the potential for diseases transmitted by invasive Aedes mosquitoes, like dengue, chikungunya, Zika virus, and yellow fever.

You can help keep our communities free of invasive Aedes mosquitoes by following a few simple guidelines: 

• Check your property for existing standing water and containers where water may collect after rain. Invasive Aedes mosquitoes prefer man-made containers (flower pots, buckets, bottles, cans, etc.) and can develop in containers as small as a soda bottle cap. Any container can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
• Remove or overturn any containers where water collects. Containers that cannot be removed must be emptied and scrubbed weekly to remove mosquito eggs. Invasive Aedes eggs can survive drying out and can stick to the sides of containers, so it is not enough to empty the containers – they must also be scrubbed. 
• Avoid bringing plants, pots, or other outdoor items from areas where invasive Aedes are established (including parts of California, Arizona, Texas, and Florida). If bringing items from these areas, please empty and scrub all containers to remove mosquito eggs. 
• If you notice mosquitoes biting during the day, please contact the District so we can check your area for invasive Aedes mosquitoes. Unlike most of our native mosquito species that bite during dusk, dawn, and night, invasive Aedes mosquitoes bite during the day.

For more information on invasive mosquitoes in San Mateo County, visit https://www.smcmvcd.org/invasive-aedes-aegypti

To report suspected invasive Aedes mosquitoes or to receive help with any other mosquito-related issue, call 650-344-8592 or make a service request online.

Page last reviewed: November 27, 2023