Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are small, slender bodied, long-legged insects with two long narrow wings and a prominent mouth called a proboscis. The immature stages are aquatic, hatching from the eggs into larvae, commonly known as “wrigglers”. The larvae develop into pupae, or “tumblers,” before emerging as adults. Only adult female mosquitoes bite and transmit disease.
Vector Significance
- Mosquitoes are responsible for transmitting several diseases, including malaria, dengue, yellow fever, dog heartworm, West Nile Virus, Chikungunya, and Zika viruses
- In the Bay Area, West Nile Virus poses the greatest risk
- Mosquitoes are also a biting nuisance, and can cause unpleasant allergic reactions
Vector Control Services
- Alameda County Vector Control does not provide mosquito related services
- Please contact Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District at (510) 783-7744 or visit their website.
What can the public do?
- Limit outdoor activities during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active
- Clean out and empty stagnant water sources on your property, such as cans, jars, plant saucers and gutters
- Minimize exposed skin and consider the use of mosquito repellents when outdoor in areas with mosquito activity
Mosquitoes
