𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗩𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗣: Mosquito Surveillance Crew Patrols Boardwalk for Standing Water

VENICE, CA — Thursday, May 22, 2025 — A convoy of three Los Angeles County West Vector Control District trucks rolled down the Venice Beach Boardwalk as part of a mosquito surveillance operation aimed at reducing vector-borne disease risks. The operation involved crews stopping periodically to inspect manholes along the path for stagnant water, a known breeding ground for mosquitoes. During the portion of the patrol observed by Santa Monica Closeup, no standing water was seen. If water had been present, crews would have treated it with larvicides—targeted insecticides used to prevent mosquito larvae from developing into adults. The surveillance is part of the District’s year-round effort to mitigate health risks associated with mosquitoes and other disease-carrying pests such as ticks, Africanized honey bees, and red imported fire ants. Priority targets include mosquito-borne illnesses like West Nile Virus, Zika Virus, Dengue Fever, and St. Louis Encephalitis—all of which have posed recurring threats in Los Angeles County. Vector control teams employ an integrated management strategy involving public outreach, biological controls like mosquitofish, and systematic monitoring. While full eradication is not feasible, regular patrols help keep mosquito populations in check and minimize public health risks. As summer approaches, the operation at Venice Beach highlights the importance of proactive vector surveillance in high-traffic recreational areas.