Cupertino — Santa Clara County Vector Control briefed residents about an invasive mosquito species capable of spreading dengue, chikungunya, Zika and yellow fever and urged simple actions residents can take to reduce breeding sites.

Sutapa of Santa Clara County Vector Control said Aedes aegypti is a day‑biting mosquito with white bands and aggressive feeding behavior; health risks rise if local populations persist. She said the mosquito has been reported in 26 California counties and in six cities within Santa Clara County so far and asked residents to "dump and drain" items that collect water weekly, clean gutters, and empty birdbaths and plant saucers.

The district described services it offers — surveillance and sample testing, targeted treatments, free dead‑bird pickup to monitor West Nile virus, mosquito fish for natural control, tick identification, and home inspections to identify attractants. Sutapa said residents can schedule inspections tonight with staff present and can visit vector.santaclaracounty.gov/dangerousmosquitoes for updates.

The county presenter tied mosquito control to the coyote discussion by noting that removing standing water reduces attractants for all wildlife, including coyotes.

County vector-control staff encouraged residents to request inspections after the meeting and to sign up for mosquito alerts; they also offered pamphlets and training resources for neighborhoods seeking help.