Mosquito and Vector Management District of Santa Barbara County

09/08/2026

‼️Larval ticks are out and about in the late summer months, but unlike their big brothers and sisters, they are EXTREMELY SMALL and easy to miss.

Most people are on the lookout for ticks during the spring, when the adult season peaks. Don’t let down your guard during the summer! 🌞 Be vigilant about tick protection:

▪️Wear light-colored clothing, which makes it easier to spot ticks.

▪️If possible, wear long pants, tucked into your socks, and long-sleeved shirts.

▪️Use an EPA-approved repellent. Be sure to follow the label directions for proper use.

▪️Logs, tree stumps, and leaf litter can be infested with ticks. Try to avoid sitting/resting on these, otherwise be extra careful if you do sit or rest on them.

▪️Stay on marked trails and avoid brushing up against vegetation and tall grass.

▪️When you get home, do a thorough tick check. Taking a shower can help remove any ticks you may have missed. Wash your hiking clothes as soon as possible and dry them in a dryer.

Visit our website for more tips!

08/31/2026

‼️ West Nile Virus cases are on the rise in nearby areas. The best way to avoid a case of West Nile? Avoid mosquito bites!

Tragically, a San Fernando Valley resident recently died from neurological illness caused by severe West Nile virus. Fifteen cases of the disease have been reported in humans this year in Los Angeles County.

In 2025, a Santa Ynez Valley horse tested positive for WNV, but this year, Santa Barbara County has not had any human or animal cases of WNV confirmed.

🦟The virus is spread to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes. No licensed vaccines or medicines are available to prevent West Nile infections in people.

Protect yourself and loved ones from West Nile by actively preventing mosquito bites.
▪️Use an insect repellent registered with the Environmental Protection Agency.
▪️Wear long, loose-fitting shirts and pants so it is harder for mosquitoes to bite your skin.
▪️Avoid being outside between dusk and dawn when the mosquitoes that spread West Nile virus are most active.
▪️Use screens on windows and doors or air conditioning, if available, to keep mosquitoes outside.
▪️Call the District if you are having mosquito problems.

08/12/2026

Invasive Aedes mosquitoes are often found breeding in clogged yard drains. Please be sure to check your drains for clogs and clear them out so water can drain out.

Mosquito dunks – available at many hardware and home and garden stores – can be used if there is standing water and the drain can’t be unclogged.

For tips on how to screen drains to keep mosquitoes out, visit bit.ly/drainscreening

07/18/2026

It only takes a bottle cap of stagnant water for mosquitoes to lay hundreds of eggs—so yes, even a “World Cup” could become a breeding ground! 🏆🦟 Don't give them home-field advantage. Tip, toss, and drain any standing water around your home.

07/16/2026

The Mosquito District has confirmed that a single yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, was found inside a home in Carpinteria, near the intersection of Carpinteria Ave. and Linden Ave.

These mosquitoes are aggressive and bite during the day. In southern California, where these mosquitoes are widespread, they are called "ankle biters". Aedes aegypti is a carrier of Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya and Yellow Fever viruses, which can cause serious illness. Fortunately, these viruses are not known from our area, though there were 6 cases of locally-acquired Dengue virus in L.A. County last year.

These mosquitoes breed indoors and outdoors in anything that holds standing water, even in very small amounts that would fill a bottle cap. They are well-known to breed in clogged yard drains. Empty any containers holding water and scrub the insides where the mosquitoes lay their eggs along the water line.

Note: Australian backyard mosquitoes, close relatives of yellow fever mosquitoes, were found in Santa Barbara's West Side this past March and in June on the Mesa on Kenwood Rd. Though they don't carry the viruses, they are very aggressive, day-biting biters.

Please call us at 805-969-5050 if you suspect you have these mosquitoes.

Visit our website for more information:

Non-native yellow fever mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti have been found in July in Carpinteria.

07/16/2026

‼️‼️On July 14, our staff collected an Aedes aegypti specimen from Carpinteria. Also called the Yellow Fever Mosquito, this species bites aggressively during the day and inside. We are working diligently to keep this species from establishing itself in Santa Barbara County.

🦟 Likewise, the invasive Australian backyard mosquito, Aedes notoscriptus, has recently been located in the City of Santa Barbara. This species is also an aggressive daytime biter, and a mosquito that NO ONE wants in our community.

✋🏼We have enhanced our efforts to locate the sources of these local infestations, and our goal is to stop their spread and potentially eradicate them.

💧Help us “Fight the Bite” by dumping and removing any sources of standing water and scrubbing the sides of the containers where these mosquitoes may lay their eggs.

➡️ Learn more at mvmdistrict.org and please contact us if you are being bothered and bit by mosquitoes at 805-969-5050.

07/15/2026

He might be the GOAT on the field, but in your backyard, being "Messi" is a major foul! 🐐🐀 Rats love cluttered yards, overgrown bushes, and unharvested fruit trees. Don't give rodents a VIP stadium seat in your home—keep it clean and tidy!

07/07/2026

⚽️ Block the bite! Just like a World Cup goalkeeper, the Mosquito and Vector Management District of Santa Barbara County is diving far and wide to keep our community safe. 🚫🦟

06/30/2026

🦟🚫The non-native Aedes notoscriptus mosquito has been discovered recently in multiple locations in Santa Barbara. We are working hard to keep this aggressive species from establishing itself in Santa Barbara County.

🌏 Native to Australia, the Aedes notoscriptus is also common in some urban areas of the United States and has become established in several California counties. Though it’s not a disease spreader for humans, it is the main vector of dog heartworm.

👋🏽 Please help us keep SB County free of this bad bug!

💧This species can breed in tiny amounts of standing water, so search your yard to get rid of any collected water. Clean and scrub bird baths and pet watering dishes weekly and dump the water from overflow dishes under potted plants.

📲 Call the District if you’re bothered by this mosquito or any other where you live: (805) 969-5050.

👨🏻‍💻Learn more at our website: bit.ly/abmosquito