County mosquito‑control official outlines low mosquito counts and free services for Belmont

Brian Webber, district manager for San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control, briefed the Belmont City Council on Jan. 27 about district services and Belmont‑specific activity in 2025. Webber said the district — founded in 1913 — provided 199 service calls in Belmont last year, including 131 yellowjacket removals, 37 rodent calls and nine mosquito calls. He noted it has been roughly five years since West Nile virus‑positive mosquito pools were detected in the district.

Webber described free services paid via property tax revenue: technicians inspect drains and marshes, distribute mosquito fish for man‑made containers, identify insects and ticks sent in by residents, and deliver targeted treatments when inspectors find breeding sources. "Our technicians will come out within one business day, 24 hours, and we're looking to remove the standing water," he said.

A council member asked about authority to require removal or repair of abandoned backyard pools. Webber said vector control authority is limited to preventing mosquitoes; enforcement to require pool removal or substantial repair typically falls to environmental health or code enforcement. "Our authority goes as far as preventing the mosquitoes. We actually don't have the authority to fight them for the swimming pool," he said, and encouraged residents to report biting mosquitoes so the district can respond.

The district also discussed education and outreach (200+ schools reached) and said it will host an open house on June 27. Council expressed appreciation and asked staff to increase outreach materials in Belmont.

Next steps: residents can contact the district for free inspections and mosquito/tick identification; staff and the district plan additional local outreach ahead of summer.