What is a Vector?

The Health and Safety code defines a vector as "Any animal capable of transmitting the causative agent of human disease or capable of producing human discomfort or injury, including, but not limited to, mosquitoes, flies, other insects, ticks, mites, and rats, but not including any domestic animal."

What Vectors can be dangerous?

Vectors of concern in the San Gabriel Valley include mosquitoes, black flies, midges, rodents, as well as Africanized honey bees and other stinging insects. It also includes animals of importance such as ground squirrels, fleas, ticks, opossums and mice. Although not regularly controlled, our District understands the vital role these animals play in the transmission of diseases such as plague, typhus, hantavirus, and Lyme disease. Routine disease surveillance is conducted and control measures may be undertaken in cases where disease transmission is likely.

More information on vectors of concern.

What does the District do?

In order to accomplish long-range and environmentally sound vector control, the District employs an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. This program incorporates many pest control methods including vector surveillance, breeding source prevention and reduction, biological and chemical control, and public education.

When necessary, specific chemical control methods are employed to reduce vector populations. The larvicides (pesticides that kill the organism in its larval stage) used are highly selective, environmentally benign, with little or no effect on non-target organisms. Adulticides (pesticides that target the adult stage) are only used if unusually large numbers of adult insect vectors are present and public health is threatened. Those selected are biodegradable, non-toxic to mammals and birds, and not harmful to painted surfaces. For more information on the pesticides used for mosquito and vector control, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/pesticides4mosquitos.htm