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Ryan Thorndike

Position: Field Operations Supervisor
Photograph of a person looking at the camera, wearing a gray shirt with the District logo on it

Ryan Thorndike started with the District in 2014 as a seasonal employee helping to eradicate the Aedes aegypti mosquito (also known as the Yellow Fever mosquito) in West Menlo Park.  He was hired as a full-time technician in 2015. He became Field Operations Supervisor in 2021.  Ryan is a lifelong resident of San Mateo.

 

 

Ryan's answers to a few questions about working with the District:

What is your favorite thing about working at the District?

What I love most about working for the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District is working outdoors and helping residents improve their quality of life, whether it is finding the source of a mosquito issue or removing a yellow jacket nest.

What is something you wish more people knew about mosquitoes?

A person in a blue shirt uses a long-handled tool to collect water from a large stone decorative water fountain outdoors.
Ryan uses a dipper to check water from a fountain for mosquito larvae.

I wish everyone knew that not all mosquitoes can transmit disease; only certain species can. I have learned that we have many different species of mosquitoes in our County that reproduce in different habitats, including large saltwater marshes filled with tidal water and very small knots in trees filled with rainwater.

Our staff work throughout the County. What is your favorite spot/view in San Mateo County?

I discovered my favorite spot in San Mateo County during a recent service call for mosquitoes.  It is on the top of Cahill Ridge Rd with a view of Lake Pilarcitos, a remote part of San Mateo County. The San Francisco Peninsula Watershed gives guided tours of the trail.

A close-up of a light brown mosquito with long legs and antennae on a white background.
Aedes dorsalis, Ryan's favorite mosquito.

What is your ‘favorite’ mosquito?

My favorite mosquito is Aedes dorsalis or the Summer Salt Marsh Mosquito. Although they are aggressive day-biting mosquitoes, they are a brilliant gold color with white stripes on their legs. They are very cool-looking!

What is the most commonly overlooked place for mosquitoes in people’s yards?

In my opinion, the most commonly overlooked standing water on properties is plant saucers. People don’t realize mosquitoes can breed in such small amounts of water, so they don’t think to dump the saucers.

Our staff are outdoorsy and love spending time in nature off-the-clock as well!  What is your favorite hiking/camping/fishing/nature spot in San Mateo County?

I grew up in San Mateo and went to San Mateo Memorial Park quite often with my family for camping weekends.

 

A lush landscape featuring rolling hills, dense forests, a blue lake, and a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.
Lake Pilarcitos, nestled in a remote area of San Mateo County.

What residents have to say about Ryan

Very happy working with Ryan. He was very knowledgeable and helpful.
Resident
I have to say I was blown away by my interactions with your organization.   I sent an email in the wee hours of the morning looking for advice on how to deal with a rodent problem caused by a neighbor to find Ryan Thorndike on my doorstep that same day!  He helped me remedy the matter immediately.  Everything went so smoothly, from our first conversation to his educating the neighbor and getting them to agree to stop feeding the skunks - which was attracting rats as well - within such a short time. I was amazed by his professionalism, cheerful manner and prompt response.  I was delighted and blown away! 
Resident

 

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