The San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control District’s (District) mosquito surveillance system has detected the invasive yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) in the Brookside area of Stockton.

“With this find, this invasive mosquito has survived the winter and continues to populate,” said Aaron Devencenzi, Public Information Officer of the District. “The yellow fever mosquito is very difficult to control, so public call-ins are very important.”

Aedes aegypti is a small (about one-quarter inch) black and white mosquito that bites aggressively during the day. The public can help prevent the spread of these invasive mosquitoes by calling in daytime biting mosquitoes to the District.

The District will continue surveillance efforts by placing traps used to collect adult mosquitoes and mosquito eggs. Additional efforts may include the District’s staff conducting door to door inspections of the residential area near the recent Aedes aegypti detection.

Aedes aegypti is not native to California. It has become established in some areas of southern and central California. Since 2019, it was found in San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sacramento, and Placer counties. Aedes aegypti can transmit several viruses, including dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes do not currently transmit these viruses in California.

The public’s help is crucial in controlling the spread of this mosquito population. Aedes aegypti lays its eggs just above the water line in small containers and vessels that hold water, such as dishes under potted plants, birdbaths, ornamental fountains, tin cans, or discarded tires. Residents should inspect around their yard and outside their homes and dump out even the smallest amount of standing water. Be sure to clean and scrub bird baths and pet watering dishes weekly and dump the water from overflow dishes under potted plants. Also, remove any unnecessary containers and trash around properties.

Residents experiencing mosquito bites during the day should report them immediately to San Joaquin County Mosquito & Vector Control District at (209) 982-4675, 1-800-300-4675 or www.sjmosquito.org.

Additional information can be found at San Joaquin County Mosquito & Vector Control District’s website, www.sjmosquito.org or California Department of Public Health: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Aedes-aegypti-and-Aedes-albopictus-mosquitoes.aspx.