Beyond Mosquitoes: How Vector Control Districts Tackle Rodents, Termites, and More
As insect and rodent pressures shift throughout the year, Mosquito Abatement Districts (MADs) continuously adapt their strategies to meet emerging and persistent pest challenges. This month, we spoke with several districts to hear firsthand about the pest issues they’re currently facing — from fire ants and yellow jackets to rodents, termites, ticks, and fleas — and the approaches they’re using to keep their communities safe and informed.
Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District
Jerry Sims, Director of Operations
Matt Eseltine, VC Inspector III
Q: How does your district determine where and when to treat fire ants? Is treatment driven more by resident service requests, staff surveillance, or a combination of both?
A: Both. We have a dedicated RIFA department that controls fire ants on any property that is not a single-family dwelling. This includes large-area sites such as schools, parks, golf courses, and green belts. Responses to these larger sites are generated by calls from the public, HOAs, facility staff, and proactive surveillance. OCMVCD inspectors respond to single-family dwelling scenarios generated by service requests in their designated work areas. Currently, RIFA surveillance is not routinely conducted in residential neighborhoods.
Q: What strategies is your district currently using to manage fire ant activity in public spaces like parks, schools, and residential areas?
A: For RIFA-positive sites, OCMVCD uses both individual mound treatments and broadcast applications utilizing granular bait pesticides. Large-area sites with a higher potential for the public to encounter fire ants are subject to proactive surveillance and subsequently treated on a routine cycle. For single-family dwelling properties, zone inspectors offer a one-time treatment. If the resident suspects that the treatment was not 100% effective, they may submit another service request, and a follow-up inspection will be scheduled.
Q: Have you noticed any changes in public awareness or response when it comes to fire ants?
A: The degree of RIFA awareness has increased among Orange County residents since the initial infestations in the late 90s. The awareness campaigns by our Communications department have provided the public with knowledge to identify fire ant mounds on their own property or in public spaces. Maintenance staff at schools and municipalities have achieved a higher degree of awareness and will readily reach out to OCMVCD for support and guidance.
Q: Beyond fire ants, which other pests—such as rodents or ticks—are demanding more attention from your team right now?
A: Although primarily focused on mosquitoes and prevention of mosquito-borne illness, OCMVCD services also include fire ants, rats, flies, and potential flea-borne illness scenarios. Human cases of flea-borne typhus have increased substantially in recent years, requiring significant attention from OCMVCD staff. Our zone inspectors also respond to service requests for rat issues on residential properties. Additionally, our laboratory staff performs a degree of pathogen surveillance involving ticks and vertebrates. We take pride in keeping the public informed of new or emerging threats.
Q: How does your team approach controlling these non-mosquito pests? Are you relying more on trapping, public education, habitat reduction, or other strategies?
A: Zone inspectors provide onsite inspections for rat issues during onsite visits. Inspectors provide guidance and education to residents regarding harborage, food sources, and exclusion.
Regarding flies, an inspection is conducted at the property to identify the source of the activity, and guidance is provided for its elimination. If no evidence is discovered at the initial property, zone inspectors will attempt to identify potential sources at adjacent properties and guide the appropriate party.
Pesticide applications may be conducted during flea-borne typhus investigations, which are evaluated on an individual basis. Topical flea medication for pets may also be provided to residents in proximity to the case.
Public outreach and education are a foundational element of all District control activities. Whether face-to-face during a service request or staff presence at community events, the shared responsibility of vector control is articulated and reinforced at each opportunity.
Marin Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District
Peter Bonkrude, District Manager
Q: This has been an unusually active yellow jacket season. What conditions do you think contributed to the surge this year?
A: Although a variety of things can increase or decrease insect populations, we believe that we can thank Mother Nature for this one. Our mild winter was likely advantageous for yellow jackets, as more queens survived and gave the nests a head start. Unfortunately, we’re now seeing the results. We’ve had over 6,000 requests this year!
Q: What are some of the key tactics your district is using to manage yellow jackets in high-activity areas like parks, trails, and residential zones?
A: Our number one tool is education. We help residents reduce the number of yellow jackets by encouraging them to clean up food sources and steer clear of known nests. Additionally, we collaborate closely with local parks and open space staff, which provides us with an early warning system for potentially hazardous in-ground yellow jacket nests.
Q: Have you noticed any changes in public awareness or response when it comes to yellow jackets?
A: Definitely, the phone’s been ringing off the hook with record calls about in-ground nests. On one hand, yes, there are just a lot more yellow jackets this season. On the other hand, people are more aware that we’re here to help. It’s nice to see the word is getting out, even if the yellow jackets are too.
Q: Beyond yellow jackets, which other pests—such as rodents or ticks—are demanding more attention from your team right now?
A: As always, mosquitoes are also keeping staff busy. Believe it or not, our mosquitofish program is a hot ticket this year. We’ve already delivered 658 requests to 378 at this time last year: that’s a 74% increase. As part of our Integrated Vector Management (IVM) program, mosquitofish can be an essential tool where appropriate.
Q: How does your team approach controlling these non-mosquito pests? Are you relying more on trapping, public education, habitat reduction, or other strategies?
A: When we can’t directly eliminate a pest, we turn to education and source reduction. For ticks, we encourage people to gear up and take precautions, so they don’t become a tick’s next meal. For rodents, we push for an integrated approach: clean up, seal up, trap smart. Most control programs begin with an assessment of how to prevent vector production while we work.
City of New Orleans Mosquito, Termite and Rodent Control Board
Claudia Riegel, Ph.D., Director
Q: How does your district approach pest control overall?
A: Communication is foundational to everything we do. It’s not just about responding to pests; it’s about being proactive, setting the tone, and letting the public and our partners know what we’re doing and why. We explain our reasoning whenever something isn’t done immediately, and maintaining a unified message across all stakeholders prevents confusion and ensures everyone understands the work we’re doing.
Q: How does your IPM program handle rodents, termites, and other pests in city buildings?
A: Our IPM program is more than just applying treatments. We work with building staff and property management to address the conditions that lead to pest issues. City buildings must be clean and well-maintained, just as we encourage residents to do on their own properties.
Over the years, we’ve had tremendous success with this approach. Our staff is cross-trained—some specialize in pest management, while others specialize in mosquitoes, but everyone is capable of handling both. Rodent control is a specialty, but cross-training helps us maximize resources and ensure coverage across all programs.
Q: How do you educate the public and local programs about pests?
A: Many people have misconceptions—for example, cats don’t control rodent populations. We focus on providing practical guidance about reducing food sources, managing harborage, and understanding termite risks. We create vetted resources like social media posts, fact sheets, and newsletters. These tools save local programs time and ensure consistent messaging, helping residents take effective action themselves.
Q: Have you seen changes in public awareness or response to pests?
A: Yes, public awareness is improving. When people understand what works and what myths exist—such as the notion that bats are a solution for mosquito control—they make better decisions. Our outreach reinforces shared responsibility for managing pests, and even when local programs are short-staffed, we help them act effectively with the resources we provide.
Q: Beyond rodents and termites, which other pests are currently demanding attention?
A: Mosquitoes remain a significant focus, and we continue emphasizing vector-borne disease prevention more broadly. We also provide guidance on ticks and other vectors, producing educational materials and outreach content to increase the capacity of local programs.
Q: How does your team ensure effective pest management even when you’re not directly treating every issue?
A: Education and clear communication are key. By providing accurate information and vetted resources, we empower residents and programs to take practical action. This approach helps prevent problems before they escalate, even if we can’t be onsite for every pest situation.
Each district highlighted a mix of proactive surveillance, public education, and targeted treatments to manage pests effectively. While strategies differ depending on the pest and the community, one theme was clear: communication and outreach are just as important as the treatments themselves. By sharing insights and lessons learned, these MADs help ensure that residents are equipped to prevent and respond to pest issues year-round.