Recently, the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District (ACMAD) detected an invasive mosquito species, Aedes aegypti, in a community north of Ardenwood. The District has been working closely with residents in the area to inspect yards for standing water, respond to reports of biting mosquitoes, and set traps for monitoring. On Thursday, October 9, beginning at 4:00 a.m., the District will conduct a larval treatment in the area south of Paseo Parkway, between Deep Creek Road and Interstate 880, extending just before Creekwood Drive. The treatment will be applied using a truck-mounted mist sprayer that will disperse Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis).

Bti is a naturally occurring bacterium found in soil. It produces crystal-shaped proteins that specifically target and kill the larval stages of mosquitoes, black flies, and midges. Importantly, Bti is non-toxic and non-pathogenic to humans, birds, fish, mammals, and beneficial insects such as pollinators. Once applied, the Bti will settle into any remaining standing water, effectively killing mosquito larvae present there.

How Residents Can Help Mosquitoes require water to complete their life cycle — they lay eggs near water, and their larvae and pupae develop in it. Without standing water, mosquito eggs cannot hatch. This is why District staff regularly inspect properties and work to eliminate sources of standing water.

Residents throughout Fremont and other areas of the county can help by dumping or draining any standing water found on their properties. Even small containers, such as bottle caps, can serve as mosquito breeding sites. The District also recommends scrubbing outdoor plant containers or any other items that hold water with soap or a 5% bleach solution to remove any Aedes aegypti eggs that may be attached. For more information: www.mosquitoes.org