Mosquito and Vector Management District of Santa Barbara County

West Nile Virus: Reporting a dead bird to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

The CDPH West Nile Virus Dead Bird call center closes at 12 PM on Friday, Oct. 10 for the the rest of 2025 and will re-open in the Spring of 2026. However, dead birds can still be reported online. To report a dead bird, visit the CDPH Dead Bird reporting web page at westnile.ca.gov/report and fill out an…

Announcing the release of the first issue of "The Itching Post"!

We are pleased to announce the release of our new quarterly newsletter, "The Itching Post", with short features on who we are, what we do, and what YOU can do to help us "Fight the Bite" - plus interesting photos and information on mosquitoes, ticks, rats and other vectors. Click here to view it: Itching Post

Invasive Aedes mosquitoes

Non-native mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti were found locally here in Santa Barbara County in 2020 but have not been seen since May 2021. However, they may show up again anytime so please contact the District if you find yourself being bitten by aggressive mosquitoes during daytime hours. These mosquitoes like to…

Aw, rats! When nights are cold, rats seek warm places to nestle in, like car engines.

On chilly nights, rats will look for warm places to shelter. A car engine seems like an unlikely place for rats to nestle in for the night but it makes sense since it gets to a perfectly warm temperature up inside a few hours after the vehicle has been parked. The rats also get the added bonus of being hidden…

Time to Dump, Drain and Empty!

Check your yard for any standing water that may have accumulated in containers and other places after it rains or after watering in your yard. Mosquitoes are attracted to stagnant water and will lay their eggs on the surface. Mosquito larvae will hatch out after several days and will develop into adult…

Where do mosquitoes breed around your home?

These are some common examples of places where water collects and where mosquitoes commonly lay their eggs and complete their development.

West Nile Virus

Click here to read a press release about the detection of West Nile Virus in Santa Barbara County in October 2020.

Mosquito Awareness

Find out more about mosquitoes and how you can "Fight the Bite"...

Fungus gnats: Mosquito look-alikes

Every winter we get many calls about these insects flying around inside homes. Fortunately, they do not bite and are mostly just a nuisance. Learn more about these pests here:

California Mosquito Awareness Week!

Although California Mosquito Awareness Week is over, it doesn't mean mosquito activity has stopped. Mosquitoes will be active and abundant from now through October. We also want everyone to be aware of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, which can transmit dangerous viruses such as Dengue, Zika…

Tick Talk

District personnel once collected 0ver 120 ticks from the first 1/4 mile of the Cold Springs Trail! When venturing outdoors to enjoy our local trails and wilderness areas, be sure to take these precautions to avoid picking up these unwanted hitchhikers:

Mosquito Control Awareness

Controlling mosquitoes is a year-round job. Find out how you can "Fight the Bite"!

About Us

The Mosquito and Vector Management District of Santa Barbara County is an independent special district that controls and monitors disease-carrying mosquitoes and rodents. We regularly test for vectored diseases and educate the public on how to reduce the probability of contracting such diseases. As a local…

We're Here to Protect You

Infographic on how birds are susceptible to West Nile virus but people can't get the virus directly from birds.

Reporting a dead bird to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

The CDPH West Nile Virus Dead Bird call center closes at Noon on Friday, Oct. 10 and will reopen in the Spring of 2026. You can still report a dead bird online by visiting the CDPH Dead Bird…

Vector control staff posing next to a bridge crossing over a channel at the saltmarsh.

Read Our Stories!

Produced by N&R Publications: Learn more about what our District does and how we work to keep you safe from mosquitoes and other vectors and the diseases they can carry:

The District office with trees and bushes, palm trees in the background, and birds flying in a blue sky.

Video: Meet our District

Click on the link to watch our Youtube video which shows who we are, what we do and tells a little bit about the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti - a mosquito we don't want in Santa Barbara…

Invasive Aedes mosquitoes in California: aggressive, disease-spreading, lay eggs in small water areas. Tips: inspect, drain, use repellent.

California Mosquito Awareness Week!

Although California Mosquito Awareness Week is over, it doesn't mean mosquito activity has stopped. Mosquitoes will be active and abundant from now through October. We also want everyone to be aware…

A yellow fever mosquito feeding and filling up with blood.

Invasive Aedes mosquitoes

Non-native mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti, were first detected in Santa Barbara County in September 2020 but have not been found again since May 2021.

Mosquitofish and mosquito larvae

Mosquitofish

Mosquitofish are available from the District free of charge to the public living in our enhanced and basic service areas. These tiny fish, native to the southern U.S., are close relatives of the…

Sorting mosquitoes under a microscope

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We look forward to hearing from you!

Close up shot of an American flag hanging from a pole..

About Special Districts

As the most local form of local government, special districts work hard every day to serve their constituents, Learn more about what makes special districts so special!

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This Privacy Policy governs the manner in which this site collects, uses, maintains and discloses information collected from users (each, a “User”).

Quicklinks

Notice of Exemption for the MOU & Mosquito Management Plan to provide mosquito management services to Santa Barbara Airport for FY 2025-2026

Notice of Exemption for the MOU & Mosquito Management Plan to provide mosquito management services to Storke Ranch for FYs 2025-2027

Announcing the release of the first issue of "The Itching Post"!

Locally-acquired Dengue virus in southern California.

A brief segment from NPR Radio: Mosquitoes are the Deadliest Creatures in the World!

Insect Repellents - Don't Give Bugs a Biting Chance!

Fantastic video of ticks, including incredible footage of them feeding on somebody. Warning: Not for people who are squeamish!

Mosquito Hawks? Giant Mosquitoes? Nope. They're Crane Flies!

Fungus gnats: Mosquito look-alikes

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