September 2018 From San Mateo County Mosquito District

Article Source: San Mateo CA County Mosquito & Vector Control District

Headlice Head Back To School

This time of year, many parents find themselves going head-to-head with a common parasite. Head lice can infest anyone, but are most common among young children due to their frequent head-to-head contact while playing or reading together. Less commonly, lice can be spread when sharing bedding, clothing, hats, or hair accessories.

If head lice are going around your child's school, or if a playmate has head lice, you should check your child's scalp for lice or nits (eggs). Use a bright light, like a flashlight or direct sunlight, and carefully part the hair. You may need a magnifying glass to see clearly. Adult lice are about the size of a sesame seed, while nits look like tiny white or clear ovals stuck to the hair shaft near the scalp.

If you do find lice or nits, don't panic! Regular shampoo won't eliminate head lice, but most cases can be resolved using a special over-the-counter shampoo. You'll also need to use a lice comb to remove any nits from the hair to prevent re-infestation. Read more about head lice.

When What's Bugging You Isn't A Bug

Here at the District, we examine hundreds of samples every year that are submitted by residents in response to some kind of irritation – a bite, a rash, or some other skin reaction. An entomologist from the District laboratory will work with the responding technician to find the culprit of the bites and help the resident develop a plan to stop the infestation. But what happens when those samples come back bug-free and no evidence of an infestation can be found?

Sometimes the brain and the skin work together to play tricks on us - signalling biting or crawling when no bugs are present. These unusual sensations can be caused by a variety of physical or emotional factors, and the discomfort is real, even when the insects aren't.

If you believe something is biting you in your home, try to collect a sample. A piece of tape or a lint roller may be useful for smaller insects. You can also place sticky traps in rooms or other areas where you feel you are being bitten. Our entomologists will help you determine what bugs are present, and whether any of them may be the cause of the bites. Read more.

News - West Nile Virus Update

As of August 31, 2018, there have been 291 dead birds reported in San Mateo County. Of those, 91 have been suitable for testing and five have tested positive (5%) for West Nile virus (WNV). Additionally, two mosquito pools have tested positive for WNV, both from East Palo Alto. No sentinel chickens have tested positive for West Nile Virus in San Mateo County in 2018, although a sentinel chicken in Santa Clara County, near the border with San Mateo County, tested positive in August. Read more.

Mosquito Population Update

Mosquito populations are near or below average except for Culex erythrothorax, which rose considerably in number during July and August. Culex erythrothorax, the tule mosquito, breeds in marshes, ponds or lakes with tule or cattail plants. Fortunately, Cx. erythrothorax usually stay near their breeding sources and the high trap numbers have not reflected an increase in biting activity in residential neighborhoods. Read more.

Our Work by the Numbers

In August, technicians responded to 557 service requests, including 62 reports of mosquitoes or standing water, 375 yellowjacket and wasp requests, 62 rodent inspections, and 13 insect identifications. Read more.

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We Fly So Mosquitoes Can't

Each summer, San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District uses a helicopter to treat three local freshwater cattail marshes – Annex Lake, Mills Field, and Sharp Park Golf Course – for mosquito larvae. This process is called ‘larviciding’. These treatments are conducted to prevent the emergence of thousands of mosquitoes that have the potential to put the surrounding communities at risk of West Nile virus transmission.

Helicopter larviciding is conducted several times per summer at these three locations. During each treatment, granules of bio-rational mosquito larvicide are dropped from a helicopter into standing water. These products target mosquito larvae only without harming wildlife, fish, or the environment. Applying them by helicopter allows the product to reach the water in areas with dense vegetation, and prevents the environmental impacts that would be created by walking or using other equipment in these sensitive aquatic environments. Less sensitive locations can be treated on foot.

This year, treatments were conducted on July 3rd, July 24th, August 14th, and September 4th, More information about helicopter larviciding can be found at http://www.smcmvcd.org/helicopter.

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Robert Riechel

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Source Credit: San Mateo County CA Mosquito & Vector Control District

Phone: 650-344-8592

Web Site: http://smcmvcd.org/

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