Community Corner
The Latest Buzz On Bees And Wasps
UPDATE from San Mateo County Mosquito & Vector Control District - CA
Article Source: San Mateo County Mosquito & Vector Control District
The Latest Buzz on Bees and Wasps
There are many kinds of bees and wasps found in our county, but most resident service requests are for three common insects: honeybees, paper wasps, and yellowjackets.
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Honeybees are a domesticated species that was brought to North America to help pollinate crops and make honey. Most honey bees live in managed hives, and the bees you see foraging during the daytime return there at the end of the day. Since they aren't protecting a hive, foraging bees aren't very aggressive and won't sting you unless they feel threatened. Honeybees may also form swarms when they're looking for a place to build their hive; these swarms can be left alone or removed by a professional beekeeper (often for free).
Yellowjackets may look a little like honeybees with their yellow, striped bodies, but their behavior is very different. While foraging yellowjackets aren't very aggressive, they're notoriously defensive of their nest and will sting anyone who disturbs it. Since yellowjacket nests are often located underground (although they can sometimes be above ground), a sudden attack may be the first sign that a nest is near. If you notice a yellowjacket nest on your property, give us a call! You can show us where the nest is, and we can safely treat or remove it so nobody gets stung.
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Paper wasps make small, papery nests that are often attached to the underside of the eaves of houses. They don't defend their nests like yellowjackets do, and rarely sting. Paper wasp nests only need to be removed if they're in a location where they're likely to be disturbed by people or pets. Otherwise, these beneficial insects can be left alone. In return, they'll help you out by eating other insects around your home!
Still not sure what's buzzing around your home? Make a service request. We can identify your bee or wasp issue, and provide expert advice on what to do next.
Don't Share Your Harvest With Rats
As summer arrives, many residents will begin reaping the rewards of the gardens they planted this spring. However, you may find that your hard work is feeding more than just your family. Rats love the same foods we do, and garden-fresh fruits and vegetables are no exception! While it probably won't be possible to completely eliminate rats in your garden, there are a few things you can do to minimize the problem.
First, eliminate other food sources that may be drawing rats to your yard. Feed pets indoors, keep garbage and compost in rat-proof containers, and pick up pet waste. Harvest your fruits and vegetables as soon as they're ripe. Rats also seek out water sources during dry weather, so repair leaks and avoid over-watering to minimize standing water in your yard.
Rats avoid being out in the open whenever they can, so trimming back vegetation to make your yard and garden more exposed can discourage them from visiting. Seal up any openings to your home, garage, shed, or chicken coop to take away their hiding places.
Still need help with rats? Give us a call. We're happy to provide advice and recommendations for safely resolving your infestation and preventing rats from returning.
Welcome, Seasonal Staff!
During the last week of April, our seasonal staff began controlling mosquito larvae in the county’s storm drain system. The staff applied a mosquito larvicide to more than 3000 catch basins in the cities of San Mateo, Redwood Shores, and Foster City - usually our first storm drain systems to breed mosquitoes each spring. This work will prevent mosquitoes throughout the county help keep the catch basins mosquito-free throughout the summer.
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Holiday Office Hours
The District office will be closed on May 27th, 2019 for Memorial Day. View the District calendar.
Mosquito Population Update
Adult mosquito abundances rose in April, which is typical. Aedes sierrensis, the western tree-hole mosquito, was the most abundant mosquito collected this month. This species breeds in tree-holes that hold seasonal water, which are numerous because of the higher than average rainfall this winter. The number of Culex pipiens, the northern house mosquito, also increased considerably between March and April. This is about half the average abundance for the month of April.
Surveillance for mosquito larvae in seasonal impounds and marsh sources continues, as many are still holding water. This April, 120 larval samples were submitted to the laboratory. The most frequently occurring species in larval samples was Culiseta incidens, the cool weather mosquito, present in 52 of the 120 samples. This mosquito is present year-round in San Mateo County and frequently collected from back yard sources such as fish ponds, containers holding water, and fresh water impounds. Culiseta inornata, the winter marsh mosquito and Culex tarsalis, the western encephalitis mosquito were also collected frequently this past month. Culiseta inornata are collected from marsh sources along the bay, often in brackish water. Culex tarsalis larvae are collected from a wide variety of sources, such as grassy impounds, marshes with mild salinity, ponds and agricultural fields. Culex tarsalis is of particular concern for mosquito control operations because it is a primary vector of West Nile virus. Read more.
Tick-Borne Disease Surveillance Update
During April, laboratory staff shifted focus from collecting adult stage to nymphal stage Ixodes pacificus (western black-legged) ticks. Tick nymphs are more difficult to collect than adults because they don’t quest on vegetation along trails. Instead, they are found on tree stumps, downed longs, rocks, and in leaf litter. Nymphal ticks are considered more dangerous than adult ticks because they are harder to see and remove, and in some regions of California they have been found to be more likely than adults to carry Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, which causes Lyme disease. Areas that were surveyed in April were: Rancho Corral de Tierra National Recreation Area near Half Moon Bay, Edgewood Park in Redwood City and Costanoa, south of Pescadero. The ticks will be tested for Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia miyamotoi and Anaplasma pgagocytophilum. Results are not yet available.
Our Work by the Numbers
In April, our staff responded to 292 requests, including 128 complaints of mosquitoes, 90 reports of standing water, 36 yellowjacket and wasp nests, and 28 rodent inspections.
West Nile Virus Season Begins in California
Surveillance for West Nile virus began in California in mid-April. The District protects residents from this mosquito-borne disease with control methods that target mosquitoes in the larval stage, as well as mosquito population monitoring, disease surveillance and public education. The laboratory staff conducts disease surveillance in three main ways.
Sentinel Chickens: The District manages two sentinel chicken flocks of seven chickens each, in the cities East Palo Alto and San Mateo. These chickens were transferred from a farm to their District coops the first week of April. Chicken blood is tested every two weeks for West Nile virus, Saint Louis encephalitis and western equine encephalitis from April 22 to November 4.
Dead Bird Surveillance: The District collects dead birds that are reported by residents. Dead birds should be in good condition without signs of decay or trauma. All bird species are accepted, except water fowl, poultry and pigeons. Residents are encouraged to call the state hotline phone number 1-877-WNV-BIRD (1-877- 968-2473), which opened with live operators on April 15. Online reports can be made at westnile.ca.gov.
Mosquito-borne Disease Testing: The District laboratory submitted and passed proficiency panels supplied by UC Davis Arbovirus Research and Training (DART) for West Nile virus, Saint Louis encephalitis and western equine encephalitis. The proficiency panels ensure that the testing methods and equipment are capable of detecting these three viruses for the upcoming season and will be acceptable for reporting by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Our District will test saliva or ocular samples from dead birds and pooled whole mosquitoes for the presence of these viruses.
Photo Credit: San Bruno CA Patch Archives
Source Credit: San Mateo County CA Mosquito & Vector Control District
Phone: 650-344-8592
Web Site: http://smcmvcd.org/
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