Vector Control

San Mateo County has far fewer insects than my home state, but the insects that we do have can cause great mischief. Mosquitoes are the primary pest and the raison d'être of the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District.

The SMCMAVCD (now that's a mouthful, even for a government agency) traces its origins to 1904, shortly after mosquitoes were proved to be a carrier ("vector") of deadly disease. Per the website:

During the 1970’s and 80’s new materials became available for biological control of mosquito larvae in the United States. These include the bacteria and growth control hormones that are the primary materials used to control mosquitoes in the District today. These are highly specific to mosquitoes and have minimal impact on other organisms.

I can attest to the District's effectiveness. Swarms of mosquitoes used to chase us indoors after the spring rains. We still get bitten by a few, but the problem can usually be traced to standing water  around our house. Here's one government service that I'm happy to pay for.

Display at the Foster City Arts & Wine Festival: insects of San Mateo County

Not from these parts: immigration that everyone wants to prevent.