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Mosquito and Vector Control outlines one‑day response, fish distribution and surveillance work in San Mateo
Summary
Brian Weber, district manager for the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District, told the city council the district provides one‑business‑day inspections, free mosquito fish for standing water, tick and insect identification, yellow‑jacket removal and West Nile virus surveillance; council members praised the district’s responsiveness.
Brian Weber, district manager for the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District, presented to the San Mateo City Council on Oct. 6 a summary of services the district provides to the city, including one‑business‑day property inspections, free mosquito fish distribution, insect and tick identification, rodent inspections, yellow‑jacket nest removal and disease surveillance for West Nile virus and Lyme disease.
"Residents can call the district and one of our staff will come out within one business day every time," Weber said, describing routine inspection response. He explained the district breeds mosquito fish that can be placed in ornamental ponds or abandoned pools and said residents can pick up fish at the district office or request delivery.
Weber described the district’s insect and tick identification program and its practice of "tick flagging" trails to test for Lyme disease; if surveillance indicates elevated risk, the district posts signs and does outreach at affected parks. He said rodent inspections are detailed, with staff walking properties with homeowners to identify entry points rather than relying only on traps. Yellow‑jacket removals are among the district’s most common summer calls; Weber said San Mateo accounted for about 160 of the district’s yellow‑jacket calls in the snapshot he presented.
The district manager also presented a 2024 snapshot of activity, noting 545 service calls within San Mateo for issues related to standing water and other vector concerns and urging residents to eliminate small sources of water (plant saucers, pet bowls, bird baths) and to report biting mosquitoes.
Council members thanked the district for responsiveness and encouraged residents to use the district’s open house and school outreach programs. Weber said the district also provides community education and testing of trapped mosquitoes for West Nile virus. "We test the ticks for Lyme disease as I mentioned. In any emerging diseases, we'll look for them as well," he said.
