Vector Control Specialists protect the public health and safety by providing vector control services and education to the citizens of Long Beach. These services include control and elimination of insects and rodents that can transmit diseases, and education on how to control them.

What are vectors?

A vector is any insect or arthropod, rodent, or other animal of public health significance capable of harboring or transmitting the causative agents of disease (e.g., plague, malaria) to humans. Under exceptional circumstances, insects or other arthropods that cause human discomfort or injury (no disease) are sometimes referred to as vectors.

Vectors include:

• Bees, flies, fleas
• Mosquitoes
• Rats
• Red imported fire ants, and other stinging insects

Additional Resources: 

Vector Control Program Brochure

 Vector Control Program (Spanish)

 West Nile Virus

WNV Facts and Tips 2004 

WNV Facts and Tips 2004 (Spanish)

Contact Us: For more information on Environmental Health Vector Control Program, please call (562) 570-4132. For Africanized Honey Bee Hotline call (562) 570-4282

Additional Phone Numbers: 

Africanized Honey Bee Hotline (800) 233-9279

To Report swarms and hives in Long Beach 911

To report swarms and hives in other cities in LA County (800) 925-3800

Red Imported Fire Ant Hotline (888) 4FIREANT (1-888-434-7326)

Dead Bird Surveillance (877) 968-2473