The Mosquito and Vector Management District of Santa Barbara County works to keep you, your family, neighbors, pets and livestock safe from mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquitoes are more than annoying; they can transmit serious diseases, such as:

• Western Equine Encephalomyelitis
• St. Louis Encephalitis
• West Nile Virus
• Dengue
• Malaria
• Chikungunya

Vector Control Methods

To protect the public from the threat of mosquito-borne disease, we use scientifically proven methods that target mosquitoes in their larval stage to prevent adult mosquitoes from emerging and transmitting disease. Our team uses less toxic materials like:

• Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis
• Bacillus sphaericus
• Methoprene

These chemicals are selective, have minimal to no effect on the non-target environment; and are approved for aquatic uses by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.

We also provide mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis), free, to South Coast residents of the district, for placement in ornamental ponds, livestock watering troughs, and other small, permanent water sources to further reduce mosquito breeding.

Education Program

Request a speaker or click here for brochures on this website about keeping your home and property free from mosquitoes, rats, bees, and other public health pests.