Rachel, a senior environmental specialist, focuses on larval mosquito surveillance, which incorporates over 1,400 county-maintained stormwater facilities (which are structures designed to control rainwater runoff). When these structures malfunction, they can become a home for thousands of mosquitoes. Fortunately, Rachel and her colleagues can step in with environmentally friendly treatments and coordinate infrastructure repairs to prevent this from happening.

"I love working for a program that takes a truly integrated, holistic, and strategically planned approach to pest management and vector control."

While people often blame nearby ponds for mosquito problems, the real culprits are usually much smaller and closer to home.
After the rainstorms, Rachel encourages residents to watch their flowerpot saucers or corrugated downspouts, birdbaths, tires, buckets, grill covers and tarps that can hold water for a week or longer. Don’t forget to tip & toss this summer!

Make a habit of emptying standing water containers regularly. Mosquitoes can be very creative about their nurseries!