Vector Control

vec·tor: an organism that transmits a pathogen (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

The Vector Control Program is responsible for providing services that eliminate and/or reduce the risk of illness caused by any organism transporting a pathogen.  What that means in general terms is that we are working hard to eliminate diseases transmitted by the insects and animals around the County.  Some examples of these organisms and some of the pathogens they can carry are:

  • Mosquito - West Nile Virus, St. Louis Encephalitis, Western Equine Encephalitis
  • Rodent Fleas - Plague
  • Western Black Legged Tick - Lyme Disease
  • Rodents - Hantavirus

The County actually has three Vector control agencies working within it.  Two Vector Districts and the Vector Control Program through the Department of Environmental Health.  The Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District manages these services for a portion of the desert community around the Coachella valley.  The Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control District provides services in the northwest portion of the county.  Our Vector Control program covers the unincorporated areas of the County and other areas that may fall outside of the two other vector district boundaries. 
If you are unsure of which agency services your area, go to the Westnile Zip Code Locator and enter your zip code to find out.

Need our help? 
The following is a short list of things we can do for you:

If you would like more information on any of the following services or have any other questions please contact us at our Hemet office at (951) 766-9454.

Click here for the 2006 Year end report for the Vector Control Program  

Useful Information About Vectors
The following links come from a number of sources, but provide very useful information about the vectors around you.

COUNTY VECTOR INFORMATION
Africanized Honey Bees
Hantavirus
Lyme Disease
West Nile Virus
West Nile Virus Prevention Poster

GENERAL VECTOR INFORMATION  
CDC - Division of Vectorborne Disease

WEST NILE VIRUS INFORMATION
CDC - West Nile Virus Info Web Page
California West Nile Virus Brochure
California West Nile Virus Info Web Page
Green Pool Information Flier
Green Pool & WNV Q & A for Realtors
Preventing West Nile Virus  
Report a Dead Bird for Testing

AVIAN FLU INFORMATION
USDA - Avian Flu Info Web Site
Avian Influenza Info
Exotic Newcastle Disease Info
Home Bird Safety Brochure

RED IMPORTED FIRE ANTS
California Red Imported Fire Ants Info Web Page

AFRICANIZED HONEY BEES
California Africanized Honey Bee Info Web Site

Riverside County Department of Environmental Health
For more information call (888) RC-CHA-EH • (888) 722-4234