Abstract: The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District (Sac-Yolo MVCD) manages mosquito populations across urban, suburban, and rural landscapes to protect the public from mosquito-borne diseases and nuisance biting. To make control decisions a network of surveillance systems including: mosquito traps, dead birds, sentinel chickens, larval dipping, and molecular surveillance for mosquito-borne viruses are utilized. The data collected from these systems are analyzed and responses are initiated. A response can range from setting a mosquito trap to applying a larvicide or potentially deploying an airplane for an adult mosquito control mission. Data analysis tools such as infection rates and vector index are critical for interpreting risk and measuring the efficacy of control interventions. The forecasting and monitoring of weather, including wind speed and direction and air temperature, is critical for conducting effective control applications. Additionally, the district monitors potential larval habitats including the intentional and predictable movement of water onto pastures, fields, and wetlands, and the unpredictable pooling of water that can have many sources including beaver dams, seepages, and fresh water tidal flooding. These pools of water can support the development of immature mosquitoes and thus are identified, surveilled for mosquito larvae, and treated with larvicides and/or mosquitofish as necessary to prevent emergence of adult mosquitoes. The surveillance tools used Sac-Yolo MVCD will be reviewed, typical responses to surveillance metrics presented, and areas for potential improvement discussed.
