September 2026 Newsletter

As weather changes, keep your home safe from rats and mice

A grey rat pokes its nose through a hole in cardboard

As the weather cools, people sometimes report more rodent activity in/around their homes. It's a good time to check around your home for gaps, holes, and cracks where rats and mice can enter. Not sure what to look for? We're experts - give us a call to request a rodent inspection. Or request a visit using our online service request form.

Our technicians can visit to inspect the outside of your home for places where rodents can enter. You'll get a detailed report of suggested repairs as well as tips on the kind of materials to use and how to best do the repairs.

Our staff do not trap rodents or seal/fix holes, but we can re-inspect after you DIY or hire a company to do the repairs.

West Nile virus activity

We have detected West Nile virus in several dead birds in the Menlo Park/Atherton area. To stay up-to-date with West Nile virus information, visit this page.

Check your rain barrel screens and covers

Computer generated image of a rain barrel top with a small hole in the mesh. Little mosquito larvae are in the water, and adult mosquitoes are flying out. The text reads "Rain barrels can breed mosquitoes. Check today that your rain barrel is securely screened. Not sure if you already have little larvae growing into adult mosquitoes? We can check!" "650-344-8592 www.smcmvcd.org" "Mosquito control is a taxpayer-funded service."

As we get the first rains of the fall, it's a great time to check that your rain barrels are mosquito-proof!

Check your rain barrel screen to be sure there are no tears, holes, or gaps where a small mosquito can enter to lay her eggs. Screens should be fine mesh, and ALL openings need to be covered to prevent mosquitoes from entering.

If you notice mosquito larvae in your rain barrel, you have a few options. You can fix the screen and securely cover any openings with fine mesh screening to prevent mosquitoes from entering and exiting. You can also place a 'mosquito dunk' in your barrel. Mosquito dunks can be purchased at your local hardware/outdoor/garden store. These dunks contain Bti (Bacillus thuringensis israelis), a type of bacteria that specifically targets mosquito larvae. The Bti typically lasts about 1 month, so you will need to add a dunk each month until you are able to securely cover your barrel. Bti will not harm people, pets and other animals, aquatic life, or other insects, including honeybees.

If you are not sure if little wiggly things in your rain barrel water are mosquito larvae, you can call us! One of our certified technicians can stop by to check and help you with a custom solution for your rain barrel. Your taxes pay for our services, so there is no charge for us to stop by to check. You can fill out a service request or give us a call at 650-344-8592.