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Hantavirus: Are We at Risk?

Although recent news about a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship has raised concerns about this disease, the risk from widespread infection in the U.S. is extremely low.

The Itching Post

We are pleased to announce the release of the fourth issue of our District 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.

Australian backyard mosquito: A non-native mosquito recently found in Santa Barbara County.

Several specimens of adult Aedes notoscriptus, aka the "Australian backyard mosquito" have been found recently in a sample from a residence in the Westside neighborhood of the City of Santa Barbara.

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…

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

The CDPH West Nile Virus Dead Bird call center is now open. You can report a dead bird by phone or online. To report by phone, call 1-877-968-2473 (1-877-WNV-BIRD). To make a report online, visit the CDPH Dead Bird reporting web page at westnile.ca.gov/report and fill out an online dead bird reporting form…

California Mosquito Awareness Week may be over but mosquitoes will keep on going - so the messages from mosquito awareness week still apply. See below and learn how you can "Fight the Bite!"

Don’t forget to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites as you head outdoors.

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…

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:

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

A person uses a microscope for examination, with labeled containers in the background, indicating a scientific or research setting.

Employment Opportunity - Operations Manager Biologist

The Mosquito & Vector Management District of Santa Barbara County is seeking individuals with management, supervisory, and mosquito and vector biology/control experience to apply for its vacant…

A person taking notes with a pen on a sheet of paper

Vacancies on the District Board

We currently have a vacancy on the Mosquito and Vector Management District of Santa Barbara County Board of Trustees. If you live in unincorporated Santa Barbara County or the cities of Goleta, Santa…

A hand uses a laptop on a desk with a cup, a pen, and notebooks, in a well-lit, clean workspace.

Integrated Mosquito Vector Management Plan in development (with updated timeline)

The Mosquito and Vector Management District of Santa Barbara County conducts programs for the surveillance, prevention, abatement and control of mosquitoes and other vectors. To ensure the District’s…

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…

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 is now open to receive calls for reporting dead birds. You can call the West Nile Virus Call Center at 1-877-WNV-BIRD or report a dead bird online by…

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

Contact Us

We look forward to hearing from you!

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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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Quicklinks

Hantavirus: Are We at Risk?

Australian backyard mosquito: A non-native mosquito recently found in Santa Barbara County.

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

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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