Continued wet weather so far this spring, following an above average rainfall winter season, has prompted some concerns for local residents.

San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District (District) officials said they have been receiving many calls for mosquitoes, as well as other insects. The District is getting calls on similar looking insects including midges and crane flies.

“Although these insects look similar to mosquitoes and are often annoying, they don’t carry diseases transmitted to humans,” said Aaron Devencenzi, Public Information Officer with the District. “For example, crane flies are frequently mistaken for large mosquitoes or are often referred to as ‘mosquito hawks’ or ‘mosquito eaters,’ which are false. Crane flies can’t bite and don’t eat mosquitoes.”

However, there are large numbers of mosquitoes resulting from the heavy rains and flooding.

As the week of April 16 to April 22 is Mosquito Awareness Week and with warmer, dry weather forecasted for the end of the week, the District is asking for residents to help protect against mosquitoes. Simple actions like removing standing water from outdoor buckets and containers along with repairing leaking faucets and broken sprinklers, reduces mosquito development. Properly dispose of old tires or keep them in a dry area. Often forgotten are rain gutters holding water because of leaves clogging downspouts. If you or your neighbor has a neglected swimming pool, call the District for mosquito prevention help.

The District has increased mosquito surveillance activities to detect large mosquito populations. Additionally, the District’s lab is already testing mosquito samples and dead birds for mosquito-borne diseases, including West Nile virus.

“In recent weeks, the District has been and continues to treat standing water for immature mosquito development in river seepage areas and flooded areas,” added Devencenzi. “Adult mosquito control activities have and will continue to take place in accordance with our surveillance results.”

To learn more about mosquito and vector control activities and to sign up for adult mosquito control activities scheduled in San Joaquin County, go to the District’s website at www.sjmosquito.org.

The San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District provides services to the residents and visitors of San Joaquin County, as well as the cities of Escalon, Lathrop, Lodi, Manteca, Ripon, Stockton, and Tracy. The District is responsible for mosquito and vector control, surveillance of West Nile virus and other vector-borne diseases, as well as public education programs to help residents protect themselves from disease. The District advocates safe, effective and environmentally friendly methods of mosquito and vector control.

To request District service, call 209-982-4675, 1-800-300-4675 or visit the District website at www.sjmosquito.org.