◈ Homepage — https://www.avmosquito.org/Skip to main content Homepage of Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District Select Language Abkhaz Acehnese Acholi Afar Afrikaans Albanian Alur Amharic Arabic Armenian Assamese Avar Awadhi Aymara Azerbaijani Balinese Baluchi Bambara Baoulé Bashkir Basque Batak Karo Batak Simalungun Batak Toba Belarusian Bemba Bengali Betawi Bhojpuri Bikol Bosnian Breton Bulgarian Buryat Cantonese Catalan Cebuano Chamorro Chechen Chichewa Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Traditional) Chuukese Chuvash Corsican Crimean Tatar (Cyrillic) Crimean Tatar (Latin) Croatian Czech Danish Dari Dhivehi Dinka Dogri Dombe Dutch Dyula Dzongkha Esperanto Estonian Ewe Faroese Fijian Filipino Finnish Fon French French (Canada) Frisian Friulian Fulani Ga Galician Georgian German Greek Guarani Gujarati Haitian Creole Hakha Chin Hausa Hawaiian Hebrew Hiligaynon Hindi Hmong Hungarian Hunsrik Iban Icelandic Igbo Ilocano Indonesian Inuktut (Latin) Inuktut (Syllabics) Irish Italian Jamaican Patois Japanese Javanese Jingpo Kalaallisut Kannada Kanuri Kapampangan Kazakh Khasi Khmer Kiga Kikongo Kinyarwanda Kituba Kokborok Komi Konkani Korean Krio Kurdish (Kurmanji) Kurdish (Sorani) Kyrgyz Lao Latgalian Latin Latvian Ligurian Limburgish Lingala Lithuanian Lombard Luganda Luo Luxembourgish Macedonian Madurese Maithili Makassar Malagasy Malay Malay (Jawi) Malayalam Maltese Mam Manx Maori Marathi Marshallese Marwadi Mauritian Creole Meadow Mari Meiteilon (Manipuri) Minang Mizo Mongolian Myanmar (Burmese) Nahuatl (Eastern Huasteca) Ndau Ndebele (South) Nepalbhasa (Newari) Nepali NKo Norwegian Nuer Occitan Odia (Oriya) Oromo Ossetian Pangasinan Papiamento Pashto Persian Polish Portuguese (Brazil) Portuguese (Portugal) Punjabi (Gurmukhi) Punjabi (Shahmukhi) Quechua Qʼeqchiʼ Romani Romanian Rundi Russian Sami (North) Samoan Sango Sanskrit Santali (Latin) Santali (Ol Chiki) Scots Gaelic Sepedi Serbian Sesotho Seychellois Creole Shan Shona Sicilian Silesian Sindhi Sinhala Slovak Slovenian Somali Spanish Sundanese Susu Swahili Swati Swedish Tahitian Tajik Tamazight Tamazight (Tifinagh) Tamil Tatar Telugu Tetum Thai Tibetan Tigrinya Tiv Tok Pisin Tongan Tshiluba Tsonga Tswana Tulu Tumbuka Turkish Turkmen Tuvan Twi Udmurt Ukrainian Urdu Uyghur Uzbek Venda Venetian Vietnamese Waray Welsh Wolof Xhosa Yakut Yiddish Yoruba Yucatec Maya Zapotec Zulu Contact Us About Us Services Education Updates Resources Contact Us Clean Pools, Healthy Communities  If left unmaintained, a single swimming pool has the potential to produce millions of mosquitoes in one month. Pools that produce mosquitoes are a... Read more Our Mission Since 1958, the Antelope Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District has been protecting the health and well-being of it's citizens and visitors,... Read more Invasive Aedes Mosquitoes Noticing an uptick in mosquitoes this season? It could be Aedes. Read more Clean Pools, Healthy Communities  If left unmaintained, a single swimming pool has the potential to produce millions of mosquitoes in one month. Pools that produce mosquitoes are a... Read more Our Mission Since 1958, the Antelope Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District has been protecting the health and well-being of it's citizens and visitors,... Read more Invasive Aedes Mosquitoes Noticing an uptick in mosquitoes this season? It could be Aedes. Read more Clean Pools, Healthy Communities  If left unmaintained, a single swimming pool has the potential to produce millions of mosquitoes in one month. Pools that produce mosquitoes are a... Read more Follow Us on Socials! Follow us on Twitter! Find us on Instagram! Like us on Facebook! Services Board Meetings Teasers 2 Press Releases View our District Press Releases below! Read more → Submit a Tip! Mosquito control is a community effort! Read more → Sign up for our Monthly Newsletter! Click Here! → View more from the district Resources Click here for more information! Read more → Contact Us: We look forward to hearing from you! We look forward to hearing from you! → Education and Community Outreach Programs To request any of the options, please email Brenna Bates-Grubb Read more → DIY Learn about DIY solutions for mosquito control Learn more Board Meetings There are no upcoming meetings, check back in again soon! Most Recent Agenda Copyright © 2026 Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District 42624 6th Street East, Lancaster, CA, 93535 (661) 942-2917 Privacy Policy Transparency Website Accessibility Statement Powered by Streamline Sign In ◈ Interior Pages — 10 pages crawledAccessibility Statement Skip to main content Contact Us Search: Search Toggle navigation About Us Staff Governance Board Meetings Board Members Transparency Prop 218 Benefit Assessment District Boundary Services Pool Notices Education Programs Surveillance Mosquito Control Mosquito Fish Education West Nile Virus Aedes Mosquitoes Dengue Fever Mosquito Biology How YOU Can Help! For Kids Repellent Repellent Myths Mosquito Imposters Updates Press Releases Monthly Newsletters West Nile Virus Detections Local Aedes Mosquito Detection Map Resources Bee Resources DIY Mosquito Control Tips For Kids Labels and SDS's West Nile virus Other Vectors Other Vector Control Districts Additional Websites Neighborhood Mosquito Awareness Contact Us Submit A Tip! Website Accessibility Statement If you need any special assistance or accommodations: Contact our compliance support team online with your request Contact our compliance support team via telephone at: (888) 765-1970 Request Live Assistance We provide on-demand live visual interpreters through Aira in an effort to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act. Please reference this Access Offer Code for Free Assistance: Streamline Request Live Assistance from Aira Ongoing Compliance Information Compliance Coordinator The District has designated a Compliance Coordinator for website disability-related accommodations. The Compliance Coordinator has received training in website accessibility and updates the site in accordance with those best practices and requirements. Compliance Procedures The District is working to ensure all website content complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and controlling State laws. In an ongoing effort to continually improve and remediate accessibility issues, the website is regularly scanned to ensure ongoing compliance, and timely changes are made to any inaccessible content if found. Accessible Documents Policy The District is committed to providing all documents hosted on the website in an accessible format or making accessible alternatives available. Linked Documents and Third Parties Please note that this site may link out to third-party websites that do not have accessible content. This site may also include documents provided by third parties. 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If you need assistance or accommodations while accessing content on this website, please contact our Compliance Coordinator via the form below: Copyright © 2026 Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District 42624 6th Street East, Lancaster CA 93535 Telephone (661) 942-2917 Privacy Policy District Transparency Website Accessibility Statement Powered by Streamline | Sign in Contact Us: - Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District Skip to main content Contact Us Search: Search Toggle navigation About Us Staff Governance Board Meetings Board Members Transparency Prop 218 Benefit Assessment District Boundary Services Pool Notices Education Programs Surveillance Mosquito Control Mosquito Fish Education West Nile Virus Aedes Mosquitoes Dengue Fever Mosquito Biology How YOU Can Help! For Kids Repellent Repellent Myths Mosquito Imposters Updates Press Releases Monthly Newsletters West Nile Virus Detections Local Aedes Mosquito Detection Map Resources Bee Resources DIY Mosquito Control Tips For Kids Labels and SDS's West Nile virus Other Vectors Other Vector Control Districts Additional Websites Neighborhood Mosquito Awareness Contact Us Submit A Tip! Contact Us Submit A Tip! Contact Us: We look forward to hearing from you! Click Here to View Our Interactive District Boundary Map Call us at: (661) 942-2917 Our address and P.O. Box are below: 42624 6th Street East, Lancaster CA 93535 P.O. Box 1192, Lancaster CA 93584 Our o ffice hours are : Mo-Thu: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Fri: 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. To report a dirty pool, standing water, a mosquito nuisance or with any other correspondence, please click here ---> SUBMIT A TIP Feel free to use the form below to send us a message: First Name (required) Last Name Your email (required) Phone Number (required) Subject Message How did you hear about us? (required) Internet search (Google etc...) Radio ad Presentation or event booth Door notice Mailer/Postcard News story Word of mouth Social Media District vehicle/employee Property Tax bill Repeat customer There was a problem saving your submission. Please try again later. Please wait while your submission is being saved... Submitting... Submit Thank you, your submission has been received. Copyright © 2026 Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District 42624 6th Street East, Lancaster CA 93535 Telephone (661) 942-2917 Privacy Policy District Transparency Website Accessibility Statement Powered by Streamline | Sign in × Search results Search Search Close How to Choose an Effective Repellent: - Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District Skip to main content Contact Us Search: Search Toggle navigation About Us Staff Governance Board Meetings Board Members Transparency Prop 218 Benefit Assessment District Boundary Services Pool Notices Education Programs Surveillance Mosquito Control Mosquito Fish Education West Nile Virus Aedes Mosquitoes Dengue Fever Mosquito Biology How YOU Can Help! For Kids Repellent Repellent Myths Mosquito Imposters Updates Press Releases Monthly Newsletters West Nile Virus Detections Local Aedes Mosquito Detection Map Resources Bee Resources DIY Mosquito Control Tips For Kids Labels and SDS's West Nile virus Other Vectors Other Vector Control Districts Additional Websites Neighborhood Mosquito Awareness Contact Us Submit A Tip! Education West Nile Virus Aedes Mosquitoes Dengue Fever Mosquito Biology How YOU Can Help! For Kids Repellent Repellent Myths Mosquito Imposters How to Choose an Effective Repellent: There are many mosquito repellent choices in the market. Don't be fooled......not every product is CDC-recommended to be effective, but the active ingredients listed below are EPA-registered and proven for efficacy. Choose a repellent containing one of these active ingredients so you can enjoy your time outdoors knowing you are protected: DEET Picaridin Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) IR3535 Beyond the type of active ingredient you want to look for in your repellent, you also want to look for the percentage of that active ingredient in the product. The percentage will be listed on the bottle (usually on the front). The higher the percentage of the active ingredient, the longer the repellent will last. (i.e. a 10% formula might get you 2 or 3 hours of protection but a 30% formula can get you 6 or 8 hours of protection). It varies by type of repellent so look on the bottle to see how long it lasts! The District recommends using a repellent with at least a 20% concentration of the active ingredient. Always be sure to follow the label instuctions closely. Check out the image below to see where the percentage of active ingredient is commonly listed on the bottle: Always follow label instructions closely whenever applying repellent! NOTE: Lemon Eucalyptus Oil and Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) are not the same product. Lemon Eucalyptus Oil is an essential oil that is not formulated to be effective against mosquito bites, but Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE) is extracted from the leaves of the lemon eucalyptus tree and is enriched for its active ingredient, para-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD), which is EPA approved to be safe and effective against mosquito bites. What about using Sunscreen and Repellent at the same time? Not a problem! Just apply sunscreen first and insect repellent over top of it. More information can be found on the CDC website. Please consult with a pediatrician before applying any product on young children. We challenge you to pass the repellent! Pass the repellent.mp4 Click HERE to Download a Repellent Guide! Download a Repellent Guide in English or in Spanish! Copyright © 2026 Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District 42624 6th Street East, Lancaster CA 93535 Telephone (661) 942-2917 Privacy Policy District Transparency Website Accessibility Statement Powered by Streamline | Sign in × Search results Search Search Close Invasive Aedes Mosquitoes - Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District Skip to main content Contact Us Search: Search Toggle navigation About Us Staff Governance Board Meetings Board Members Transparency Prop 218 Benefit Assessment District Boundary Services Pool Notices Education Programs Surveillance Mosquito Control Mosquito Fish Education West Nile Virus Aedes Mosquitoes Dengue Fever Mosquito Biology How YOU Can Help! For Kids Repellent Repellent Myths Mosquito Imposters Updates Press Releases Monthly Newsletters West Nile Virus Detections Local Aedes Mosquito Detection Map Resources Bee Resources DIY Mosquito Control Tips For Kids Labels and SDS's West Nile virus Other Vectors Other Vector Control Districts Additional Websites Neighborhood Mosquito Awareness Contact Us Submit A Tip! Education West Nile Virus Aedes Mosquitoes Dengue Fever Mosquito Biology How YOU Can Help! For Kids Repellent Repellent Myths Mosquito Imposters Invasive Aedes Mosquitoes Picture of an Aedes aegypti mosquito sample In 2018, the District first detected the presence of invasive Aedes mosquitoes in Lancaster, CA. Since that initial detection, the population of this invasive mosquito has taken hold in the Antelope Valley and has been detected all throughout Distict boundaries including Palmdale, Lancaster and Quartz Hill. The big rain storms in the summer of 2023 caused a large uptick in the presence of the invasive Aedes mosquito and residents have noticed their presence in a big way during both the 2024 and 2025 warm season. The Aedes mosquito differs from the native Culex mosquito in several ways: 1.) Aedes mosquitoes breed in very small 'container-like' sources of stagnant water usually in yards or on balconies. Think: yard junk, plant saucers, old/unused tires, watering cans, children's toys and buckets. 2.) Aedes eggs stay viable dry whereas Culex eggs don't. So, with Aedes mosquitoes, even if the water source dries out, the eggs will stay stuck to the container and hatch once they are re-exposed to water. Scrubbing containers to dislodge eggs or throwing away unused containers entirely will help reduce the presence of this mosquito. 3.) Aedes mosquitoes prefer people as their bite of choice . Our native Culex mosquitoes prefer to bite birds, but will bite humans if their preferred bird source is not available. Because of their biting habits, Aedes mosquitoes are very noticeable in communities. 4.) Aedes mosquitoes are aggressive, daytime biters that tend to probe multiple times to find a good blood vessel. This repeated poking increases irritation and introduces more saliva, making their bites more bothersome. People are also often intolerant to their bites because Aedes mosquitoes inject more potent saliva when they bite. Their saliva contains a mix of proteins and enzymes that help them feed on blood—but these same compounds trigger stronger allergic and inflammatory reactions in humans. The result: more itching, redness, and swelling. 5.) Aedes mosquitoes carry different diseases than our native Culex mosquitoes. Aedes mosquitoes cannot carry or transmit West Nile virus like the Culex mosquito, but they can carry other tropical diseases such as dengue fever, zika virus, chikungunya, and yellow Fever. To date, the California Department of Public Health has not detected the presence of disease circulating in the Aedes mosquito population within our District boundaries. There have, however, been several detections of local dengue fever transmission in various other areas of Los Angeles County, Long Beach and the San Gabriel Valley. 6.) Not all mosquito-borne diseases spread the same way. West Nile virus is carried by Culex mosquitoes. When they bite a person, the virus can make that person sick—but it stops there. Humans don’t have enough virus in their blood to pass it back to other mosquitoes, so they are a “dead-end host.” Diseases like dengue, zika, and chikungunya are different. They’re spread by Aedes mosquitoes, which love to bite people. After being infected, a person’s blood can carry enough virus that another Aedes mosquito can pick it up when it bites that person—and then the mosquito can pass it on to someone else. This is why controlling Aedes mosquitoes is so important: when people get sick, they can keep the cycle going. All of these characteristics combined make the Aedes mosquito a particularly annoying pest for residents, but also an extremely hard pest for the District to reduce and control. Keeping this mosquito population lowered relies heavily on the participation of the community in keeping their own properties clean and free of possible stagnant water sources that can breed mosquitoes. The District operates by treating large, predictable sources of stagnant water throughout the public areas of our District boundaries. Since we cannot readily access yards in the same way we can access public sources of stagnant water, we ask the the public be particularly vigilant with their own personal mosquito control measures, especially when dealing with Aedes mosquitoes. Click HERE for a detailed checklist of common items that often beome a source of mosquitoes. Look for them and and eliminate them to help rid your yard and home of mosquitoes. Do you happen to have any of these mosquito sources around your house or yard? Defunct fountains, plant saucers, kids toys, bird baths, yard clutter, bromeliad plants, aquatic plants (such as Lucky Bamboo), trash, recycling and old tires are common sources of Aedes mosquitoes! Aedes (pronounced "aid-dees") mosquitoes are aggressive, black-and-white insects that thrive in our cities. They've been nicknamed "ankle biters" due to their tendency to bite people on the lower portion of the body. These are not your common Southern House mosquitoes - or Culex - which we are accustomed to and are light brown in color. Aedes love humans, but not just for our blood 🩸. Our communities and homes inadvertently provide the perfect sheltered hangout spots and breeding sources for Aedes mosquitoes that seek out containers to lay their eggs in . After taking our blood, female mosquitoes search for stagnant water in many types of containers 💦 to lay their eggs! What's The Big Deal About Aedes Mosquitoes Anyway?! Aedes mosquitoes are a mosquito of particular public health concern because their human focus makes them powerful disease transmitters in cities and neighborhoods.They are efficient at transmitting (spreading) several fatal human arboviruses including chikungunya , dengue , y ellow fever and Zika virus . In recent U.S. history, Aedes mosquitoes were responsible for Zika outbreaks in Florida, Texas, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Although there have been no instances of local transmission of any of these tropical diseases yet, the potential for these diseases to make their way into the population is very real. If you travel (Europe, Asia and South America), please be aware you could return from your trip being a carrier of these diseases and not know it! If a local Aedes mosquito bites a local person who is infected with one of these tropical diseases due to their travels, the disease could potentially enter the local mosquito population. In October of 2023, for the first time in California history, dengue fever was found to be circulating in the Aedes mosquito populations and caused transmission in people in both Pasadena and Long Beach. In 2024, additional local transmission of dengue fever was detected in Baldwin Park and Panorama City. View the full article on 2023 CA Dengue fever transmission HERE ✈ BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE CDC TRAVEL ADVISORIES PRIOR TO TRAVEL ✈ How Do I Know If Aedes Are Living Around My Home? 🏡 You or a family member receive mosquito bites during the daytime hours - and not just morning or evening when our Native Culex mosquitoes typically bite. Mosquitoes are biting indoors (office, home, garage, etc.) You notice black-and-white adult mosquitoes about the size of a pencil eraser head. How Do I Mosquito Fish - Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District Skip to main content Contact Us Search: Search Toggle navigation About Us Staff Governance Board Meetings Board Members Transparency Prop 218 Benefit Assessment District Boundary Services Pool Notices Education Programs Surveillance Mosquito Control Mosquito Fish Education West Nile Virus Aedes Mosquitoes Dengue Fever Mosquito Biology How YOU Can Help! For Kids Repellent Repellent Myths Mosquito Imposters Updates Press Releases Monthly Newsletters West Nile Virus Detections Local Aedes Mosquito Detection Map Resources Bee Resources DIY Mosquito Control Tips For Kids Labels and SDS's West Nile virus Other Vectors Other Vector Control Districts Additional Websites Neighborhood Mosquito Awareness Contact Us Submit A Tip! Services Pool Notices Education Programs Surveillance Mosquito Control Mosquito Fish Mosquito Fish The District provides FREE mosquito fish to all District residents for placement on their property only. Please call the District office at (661) 942-2917 to request FREE mosquitofish for your home. Since mosquito fish are not native to California, it is prohibited to use them in natural water ways (creeks, streams, lakes). Mosquito fish ( Gambusia affinis ) are small, guppy-like fish, which are expansively used in modern mosquito control programs. They feed primarily on small aquatic insects, such as mosquito larvae. Mosquito fish have many benefits in mosquito control. They are: able to mature, reproduce and survive quite well in a variety of water conditions able to tolerate moderately high levels of salt, algae, pollutants, and a temperature range from nearly freezing to above 100° Fahrenheit compatible with most ornamental pond fish, including Goldfish, Koi and Carp perfect for permanent mosquito breeding sources (basins, ponds, horse troughs, rain barrels, unused pools) Female mosquito-fish produce eggs that hatch within their bodies, releasing 30-100 well developed young, called "fry" into the water. Young mosquito-fish are about one half inch in length when born and immediately begin eating mosquito larvae. They grow rapidly in the summer and reach a maximum size of 1-1.5 inches in males and 2.5 - 3 inches in females. Gambusia breed throughout the summer and a new brood is produced at 4-6 week intervals. The young fish reach maturity in about 4-5 months. As part of our Integrated Vector Management program, we stock these fish at the District to provide to residents for free for use on their property. Copyright © 2026 Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District 42624 6th Street East, Lancaster CA 93535 Telephone (661) 942-2917 Privacy Policy District Transparency Website Accessibility Statement Powered by Streamline | Sign in × Search results Search Search Close For Kids! - Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District Skip to main content Contact Us Search: Search Toggle navigation About Us Staff Governance Board Meetings Board Members Transparency Prop 218 Benefit Assessment District Boundary Services Pool Notices Education Programs Surveillance Mosquito Control Mosquito Fish Education West Nile Virus Aedes Mosquitoes Dengue Fever Mosquito Biology How YOU Can Help! For Kids Repellent Repellent Myths Mosquito Imposters Updates Press Releases Monthly Newsletters West Nile Virus Detections Local Aedes Mosquito Detection Map Resources Bee Resources DIY Mosquito Control Tips For Kids Labels and SDS's West Nile virus Other Vectors Other Vector Control Districts Additional Websites Neighborhood Mosquito Awareness Contact Us Submit A Tip! Resources Bee Resources DIY Mosquito Control Tips For Kids Labels and SDS's West Nile virus Other Vectors Other Vector Control Districts Additional Websites Neighborhood Mosquito Awareness For Kids! Culexi, our mascot Coloring and activity pages: Mosquito Awareness Coloring Page Mascot Coloring Page What's a Mosquito? Coloring Page Where Do Mosquitoes Come From? Coloring Page Vector Inspector Coloring Page Life Cycle Coloring Page Mosquito Word Search Copyright © 2026 Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District 42624 6th Street East, Lancaster CA 93535 Telephone (661) 942-2917 Privacy Policy District Transparency Website Accessibility Statement Powered by Streamline | Sign in × Search results Search Search Close Other Vectors and Health Issues - Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District Skip to main content Contact Us Search: Search Toggle navigation About Us Staff Governance Board Meetings Board Members Transparency Prop 218 Benefit Assessment District Boundary Services Pool Notices Education Programs Surveillance Mosquito Control Mosquito Fish Education West Nile Virus Aedes Mosquitoes Dengue Fever Mosquito Biology How YOU Can Help! For Kids Repellent Repellent Myths Mosquito Imposters Updates Press Releases Monthly Newsletters West Nile Virus Detections Local Aedes Mosquito Detection Map Resources Bee Resources DIY Mosquito Control Tips For Kids Labels and SDS's West Nile virus Other Vectors Other Vector Control Districts Additional Websites Neighborhood Mosquito Awareness Contact Us Submit A Tip! Resources Bee Resources DIY Mosquito Control Tips For Kids Labels and SDS's West Nile virus Other Vectors Other Vector Control Districts Additional Websites Neighborhood Mosquito Awareness Other Vectors and Health Issues California Dept of Public Health Vector-Borne Disease Section Head Lice Lyme Disease Bed Bugs California Dept of Fish and Wildlife Center for Disease Control & Prevention Copyright © 2026 Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District 42624 6th Street East, Lancaster CA 93535 Telephone (661) 942-2917 Privacy Policy District Transparency Website Accessibility Statement Powered by Streamline | Sign in × Search results Search Search Close Board Meetings - Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District Skip to main content Contact Us Search: Search Toggle navigation About Us Staff Governance Board Meetings Board Members Transparency Prop 218 Benefit Assessment District Boundary Services Pool Notices Education Programs Surveillance Mosquito Control Mosquito Fish Education West Nile Virus Aedes Mosquitoes Dengue Fever Mosquito Biology How YOU Can Help! For Kids Repellent Repellent Myths Mosquito Imposters Updates Press Releases Monthly Newsletters West Nile Virus Detections Local Aedes Mosquito Detection Map Resources Bee Resources DIY Mosquito Control Tips For Kids Labels and SDS's West Nile virus Other Vectors Other Vector Control Districts Additional Websites Neighborhood Mosquito Awareness Contact Us Submit A Tip! Board Meetings Jun 19 2025 Board Meeting Agenda Minutes Read more » Board Meetings Our board meets on the 4th Thursday of each month at 4:00 p.m. at the District office. All meetings are open to the public. Agendas and minutes of the meetings are posted here as they become available. Apr 23 2026 Board Meeting Mar 26 2026 Board Meeting Feb 26 2026 Board Meeting Jan 22 2026 Board Meeting Read more » Copyright © 2026 Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District 42624 6th Street East, Lancaster CA 93535 Telephone (661) 942-2917 Privacy Policy District Transparency Website Accessibility Statement Powered by Streamline | Sign in × Search results Search Search Close Repellent Myths - Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District Skip to main content Contact Us Search: Search Toggle navigation About Us Staff Governance Board Meetings Board Members Transparency Prop 218 Benefit Assessment District Boundary Services Pool Notices Education Programs Surveillance Mosquito Control Mosquito Fish Education West Nile Virus Aedes Mosquitoes Dengue Fever Mosquito Biology How YOU Can Help! For Kids Repellent Repellent Myths Mosquito Imposters Updates Press Releases Monthly Newsletters West Nile Virus Detections Local Aedes Mosquito Detection Map Resources Bee Resources DIY Mosquito Control Tips For Kids Labels and SDS's West Nile virus Other Vectors Other Vector Control Districts Additional Websites Neighborhood Mosquito Awareness Contact Us Submit A Tip! Education West Nile Virus Aedes Mosquitoes Dengue Fever Mosquito Biology How YOU Can Help! For Kids Repellent Repellent Myths Mosquito Imposters Repellent Myths With the expansion in detections of Invasive Aedes mosquitoes around the Antelope Valley, we are dealing with more mosquitoes than ever before. Unfortunately, more mosquitoes is our new reality but residents can take action now to protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus. Let's clear up some common myths about products that claim to keep mosquitoes away, but aren't actually very effective: Citronella Candle Citronella Candles Citronella candles are only effective at repelling mosquitoes in the immediate radius around the candle and in the absence of a breeze. Unfortunately, Aedes mosquitoes prefer to feed off the lower extremities of the body like the ankles, away from candles on table tops. To provide long lasting coverage, use an insect repellent product that contains one of the recommended ingredients. Lavender Essential Oil Natural Products Insect repellents with natural oils or ingredients only work for 15 minutes or less, are unregulated, and can be toxic. For example, lavender oil is a popular alternative to recommended insect repellent products but it can actually act as an attractant for mosquitoes. Dryer Sheets Dryer Sheets Dryer sheets have not been scientifically tested as an insect repellent. Citronella and Lavender Citronella/Lavender Plants Like the citronella candle, citronella plants, if at all, only provide protection for the immediate area around them. Because most people place them in pots, this can potentially become a mosquito source because of the water that accumulates in the pot saucer. Lavender plants are also a popular option but besides potentially attracting mosquitoes, they can also create a potential source if they are stored in a plant pot with a saucer. Photo of a bug zapper machine Bug Zapper Bug zappers are great at attracting insects, and while they may eliminate some mosquitoes, bug zappers attract and destroy mostly beneficial insects that serve as food sources for bats and birds. If spraying yourself with insect repellent isn’t your favorite option for protection, there are other ways to apply it like lotions and wipes. Always look to see if the insect repellent product contains one of the four active ingredients (DEET, Picaridin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus or IR3535) and note the percentage. The percentage of the ingredient is an indicator of how long the product will last before you have to reapply. The District recommends using a repellent with at least 20% of the listed active ingredient. Always read the label carefully before applying. CLICK HERE for more insect repellent information. Copyright © 2026 Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District 42624 6th Street East, Lancaster CA 93535 Telephone (661) 942-2917 Privacy Policy District Transparency Website Accessibility Statement Powered by Streamline | Sign in × Search results Search Search Close Clean Pools, Healthy Communities - Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District Skip to main content Contact Us Search: Search Toggle navigation About Us Staff Governance Board Meetings Board Members Transparency Prop 218 Benefit Assessment District Boundary Services Pool Notices Education Programs Surveillance Mosquito Control Mosquito Fish Education West Nile Virus Aedes Mosquitoes Dengue Fever Mosquito Biology How YOU Can Help! For Kids Repellent Repellent Myths Mosquito Imposters Updates Press Releases Monthly Newsletters West Nile Virus Detections Local Aedes Mosquito Detection Map Resources Bee Resources DIY Mosquito Control Tips For Kids Labels and SDS's West Nile virus Other Vectors Other Vector Control Districts Additional Websites Neighborhood Mosquito Awareness Contact Us Submit A Tip! Services Pool Notices Education Programs Surveillance Mosquito Control Mosquito Fish Clean Pools, Healthy Communities Did you get a pool notice or just want more information on how pools can contribute to mosquito nuisances in our community? Read below for more information! The Challenge If left unmaintained, a single swimming pool has the potential to produce millions of mosquitoes in one month . Pools that produce mosquitoes are a public health risk because mosquitoes can spread mosquito-borne illnesses. West Nile virus is present in the Antelope Valley and does circulate between the birds and mosquitoes. Controlling mosquitoes in non-functional pools is a year-round challenge and requires significant effort and planning to remain mosquito-free. Mosquitoes need a source of still/standing water in order to complete their lifecycle. Defunct pools provide the ideal habitat for mosquitoes to reproduce. With more than 2,100 known defunct pools, the District needs cooperation from residents to either keep these pools clean or drain them completely dry. While many pools are clean and functional, some are not. Having an out-of-service pool may require multiple compliance checks from the District every year. This process can be resource-intensive for the District as well as inconvenient for residents. The Solution Mosquito control is a shared responsibility. All residents must make sure their swimming pools are clean and functional, or are clean and dry and do not pose a public health risk by producing mosquitoes. The use of long-term mosquito management strategy for pools includes a working pump and filtration system, and a regular chemical treatment schedule. The District provides support programs for residents, such as providing assistance with mosquito control while a pool is being restored to a clean and functional state. Don't hesitate to CONTACT US if you or someone you know has an unmaintained pool that might be creating a nuisance in the community. Support Programs 1.) I got a pool notice but my pool is clean*. Now what? *A clean and functional pool has a working pump and filtration system and has a regular chemical treatment schedule. Water must be clear with little to no algae or debris. Photo confirmation: Our system isn't flawless and sometimes picks up dark bottom pools, shade, pool covers or other yard objects as dirty pools. The resident can confirm the condition of the pool by sending a picture to the District via email ([email protected]) or text (661-387-2300). The resident must respond back within one week with a photo of the pool that includes the current notice in the foreground. The pool must be clean*. 2.) My pool is dirty/out-of-service. What should I do? Short-term Pesticide Treatment: A clean and functional pool is the best way to stay mosquito-free. The District does offer pesticide treatments as a short-term solution for residents who are in the process of restoring their pool to a clean and functional state. The District will work with the resident to provide chemical control for up to six months as long as the resident is actively pursuing a permanent solution. 3.) My Pool is empty and dry*. Is that okay? *An empty and dry pool is kept completely dry and free of debris, year-round. The District needs confirmation throughout the year to ensure no water has been left to collect at the bottom. Confirmation can be completed two ways: Photo confirmation: The resident can confirm the condition of the pool by sending a picture to the District via email ([email protected]) or text (661-387-2300). The resident must respond back within one week with a photo of the pool that includes the current notice in the foreground. The pool must be empty and completely dry. Schedule a Physical Inspection: When a physical, on-site confirmation is scheduled, the District will send out a vector control specialist to visit the property and confirm the pool's condition. The District may request multiple inspections a year, which will be scheduled in advance through phone, or email. Residents must respond within one week of receiving an inspection request from the District. 4.) Mosquito Fish Program : The mosquito fish, Gambusia affinis , is a topminnow from North America that is used around the world to control mosquito larvae. These fish are a low-maintenance, long-term treatment strategy to prevent the development of mosquitoes in non-functional, partially-filled swimming pools, ponds or yard features. The resident can pick up the fish, free of charge from the District. Click here for the District address. The resident is responsible for reporting to the District if the fish die or are unsuccessful. Copyright © 2026 Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District 42624 6th Street East, Lancaster CA 93535 Telephone (661) 942-2917 Privacy Policy District Transparency Website Accessibility Statement Powered by Streamline | Sign in × Search results Search Search Close