Vector Control District
Our mission is to detect and minimize vector-borne diseases, abate mosquitoes, and assist the public in resolving problems with rodents, wildlife, and insects that can cause disease, discomfort or injury in humans.
In 1988, we were established as the County of Santa Clara Vector Control District and are a division under the Consumer and Environmental Protection Agency. We are one of twelve special districts located in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. We are responsible for reducing vector-borne diseases like West Nile virus, manage mosquitoes, and help you resolve problems with vectors like rodents, certain wildlife, and insects that can make you sick. Everything we do is required by the California Health and Safety Codes and California Government Codes [§ 2000-2093]. We are one of six districts in the state when the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors act as a trustee. Our funding comes from a county-wide property benefit assessment.
What we do:
- Monitor diseases like plague, West Nile virus, Lyme disease, and rabies.
- Inspect known mosquito breeding locations like marshes, curbs, catch basins, and other areas, and treat them with pesticides to stop mosquitoes from becoming adults.
- Conduct adult mosquito control treatments when we find mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus.
- Provide free mosquitofish to put in artificial bodies of water for mosquito control
- Respond to public service requests for services like insect identification, wildlife inspections, rodent inspections, yellowjacket/wasp removal, dead bird reports, and other available services.
- Provide educational presentations or host educational booths for schools, community centers, and other interested groups.