In this episode of the Healthy Desert Healthy You podcast, host Will Dean sits down with Fernando Gutierrez, Community Engagement Specialist with the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District. Fernando explains the district’s nearly 100-year mission to monitor and control vectors—mosquitoes, rodents, fire ants, and more—that pose health risks to Coachella Valley residents. He discusses the region’s unusually active mosquito season, the spread of invasive Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, and the diseases they can transmit, including West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis. Fernando also highlights prevention strategies, the importance of eliminating standing water, and how residents can request services. Plus, he previews innovative district programs such as drone-assisted inspections and the sterile insect technique aimed at long-term mosquito control.

Takeaways:

• The district has monitored harmful vectors in the valley since 1928.
• Coachella Valley hosts more than a dozen mosquito species.
• Aedes aegypti is an aggressive, invasive daytime biter now found valley-wide.
• Standing water—even small amounts—creates mosquito breeding sites.
• Over 100 mosquitoes tested positive for viruses this season.
• Residents can request vector inspections and treatments at no cost.
• EPA-approved repellents (DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, OLE) offer reliable protection.
• New technologies like drones and sterile insect programs improve mosquito control.

#HealthyDesertHealthyYouPodcast #WillDean #DesertHealthcareDistrictAndFoundation #CommunityWellness #CoachellaValleyMosquitoAndVectorControlDistrict #MosquitoAwareness #PublicHealthEducation #AedesAegypti #WestNileVirusPrevention #StLouisEncephalitis #VectorControl #CommunityEngagement #MosquitoSeason #PreventMosquitoBreeding #StandingWaterPrevention #FireAntControl #DroneTechnology #SterileInsectTechnique #HealthAndSafety #CoachellaValley