Upcoming Technological Advances: This summer the District will be deploying a new geospatial database. The database brings a new dimension to our mosquito control efforts by allowing staff to see the locations of known mosquito breeding sites, traps, service requests, and testing data on a map. It also allows the use of business intelligence programs such as Microsoft BI and Tableau to analyze treatment and surveillance data. An additional efficiency feature is the systems compatibility with the statewide database allowing surveillance and testing data from the District's laboratory to be automatically uploaded.  

The District also intends to employ unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or drones) in the future to aid in mosquito surveillance and potentially treatments.  Four employees attended a UAS training course and plan to acquire a UAS pilots license. The benefits of using a UAS for mosquito control include:

• Zero footprint on marsh land and sensitive lands
• Reduced drift by using directed aerial spray applications
• Better monitoring of irrigation
• Increased detection of mosquito larvae
• Significant employee safety risk reduction
• Reduced noise and fuel emissions
• Reduced costs of equipment and labor

Have you seen it?

The District received grant money from the Public Health Foundation Enterprises for invasiveAedes related public education and surveillance. With those funds, seasonal employees have been hired and supplies purchased to increase the District's invasive Aedes trapping network. Additionally, ad space has been purchased on the electronic billboard in front of the Oakland Coliseum and Oracle Arena. The graphic rotates among 8 others advertisements and will run through the months of June and July.