The District has an extensive mosquito trapping program used to monitor mosquito populations and to detect diseases. Different types of traps are used depending on the environment, the species to be trapped, and the type of data needed.

The District uses sentinel chickens in some parts of the County to detect West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases. Even if infected with West Nile virus or another mosquito-borne disease, chickens do not usually get sick, and cannot pass on the virus to mosquitoes, people, or other birds. They serve as an early indicator of disease in areas where dead birds are less likely to be seen and…

Dead birds and squirrels are often the first indicator that West Nile virus exists in an area.