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35 Years of Protecting Public Health

A banner celebrating 35 years of the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District's public health protection.

Celebrating 35 Years of Excellence

Join the District in celebrating 35 years of providing public health services and protecting residents from mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases!

A person squatting by a water body with a tool box, possibly testing water quality. Date stamped: 21/8/86.

August 15th marks the 35th anniversary of the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District, one of five vector control districts formed to protect residents in Greater Los Angeles County from mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases.

For over three decades, the District has been a trailblazer in vector control. The District has implemented successful and innovative strategies to control vectors and increase mosquito education in the San Gabriel Valley while using scientific surveillance data to implement the most effective and environmentally-friendly control methods. Additionally, the District has been at the forefront as new challenges caused by mosquitoes emerge in the vector control industry like the establishment of invasive Aedes mosquitoes and the state's first locally-acquired dengue case.

The District's journey is marked by innovation, dedication, and countless success stories. Join us in celebrating three and a half decades of protecting public health as we look forward to a future of continued growth and success by taking a look at our timeline, department, stories, videos, and much more. 

A group of people posing in front of a building with a sign that reads "Mosquito & Vector Control District."
2023 Staff Group Photo
2024 Board of Trustees
2024 Board of Trustees
Educational display of insect life cycles, specimens, and related material on a table.
Early Education Program Display Box
Person in protective suit on ladder by a large tree, possible beekeeping or tree treatment.
Africanized Honey Bee Program
A group of people in uniform posing for a photo outdoors, with nature in the background.
1993 Staff Group Photo
Two people in protective suits with headgear in front of a building labeled "Mosquito Abatement District."
Operations Technicians
Three men, two standing and one sitting in a white truck with a yellow light on top, in a remote area.
Technicians in Field
An office space with two people, a map on the wall, a desk cluttered with papers, and bookshelves.
1989 - 1994 Original Office Space
Person in a hat measuring a white sheet on grassy ground.
Tick Flagging and Surveillance
A group of people posed on and around a playground structure, wearing matching uniforms.
1999 Staff Group Photo
A group of people smiling in front of an inflatable octopus at an outdoor event.
2018 Staff Group Photo
Two individuals at an educational booth about mosquito prevention, with informational banners and displays.
Staff at Community Event
Group of people at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new building.
1995 Grand Opening of our Office
People observing a large scenic mural indoors with scaffolding and painting supplies.
1998 Creating of a mural that would become our logo
A camera operator films two people by a house, one in a uniform, possibly engaged in an interview.
2011 First Detection of Aedes Mosquitoes
A group of people posing in front of a building with a sign that reads "Mosquito & Vector Control District."
2024 Board of Trustees
Educational display of insect life cycles, specimens, and related material on a table.
Person in protective suit on ladder by a large tree, possible beekeeping or tree treatment.
A group of people in uniform posing for a photo outdoors, with nature in the background.
Two people in protective suits with headgear in front of a building labeled "Mosquito Abatement District."
Three men, two standing and one sitting in a white truck with a yellow light on top, in a remote area.
An office space with two people, a map on the wall, a desk cluttered with papers, and bookshelves.
Person in a hat measuring a white sheet on grassy ground.
A group of people posed on and around a playground structure, wearing matching uniforms.
A group of people smiling in front of an inflatable octopus at an outdoor event.
Two individuals at an educational booth about mosquito prevention, with informational banners and displays.
Group of people at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new building.
People observing a large scenic mural indoors with scaffolding and painting supplies.
A camera operator films two people by a house, one in a uniform, possibly engaged in an interview.

Our History

For many years, the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services provided mosquito control in the San Gabriel Valley for cities not covered by a mosquito abatement district. The formation of our District was a direct result of a mosquito-transmitted disease called St. Louis encephalitis (SLE).

In 1983, this disease was reported in Los Angeles County for the first time since the 1940s. In 1984, an epidemic of SLE occurred resulting in 16 cases and one death. In 1986, three more cases were reported. To reduce the threat SLE posed to public health, the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito Abatement District was formed as an independent special district on August 15, 1989.

Since then, the District has grown and evolved to face the growing challenges brought on by mosquitoes and mosquito-transmitted diseases. Take a look at our timeline to learn about the District's monumental milestones. 

District Timeline 

 

Today, the District encompasses approximately 287 square miles and provides mosquito control services to more than 1.5 million residents in portions of unincorporated Los Angeles County and 26 cities, including Alhambra, Arcadia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bradbury, Claremont, Covina, Duarte, El Monte, Glendora, Industry, Irwindale, La Puente, La Verne, Monterey Park, Monrovia, Pasadena, Pomona, Rosemead, San Dimas, San Gabriel, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Temple City, West Covina, and Walnut. 

Uniformed team posing outdoors; workers handling chemicals in an indoor lab setting.