The Orange County Vector Control District (OCVCD) helps to control little critters who carry diseases. (These animals are called "disease vectors" because they move the disease around, hence the name.) If you have a problem with a dead bird and there is West Nile Virus in the area, you call Vector Control. Same thing for a neighbor who won't take care of their pool which is now a mosquito farm - call Vector Control and they will work with the neighbor so you don't have to.
A plan is being considered to privatize rat control services. Currently, if you see rats around, Vector Control will come out and give you (for free!) traps and bait and show you how to properly use them. They will also help you find the openings the rodents are using to get into your house and show you how to close them off.
These services are paid by an assessment of about $6.98 per year per residence in the County. Taxpayers are able to get a lot for their $6.98.
Now, some members of the Vector Control board want to let private extermination companies (Terminix, Orkin, Truly Nolen are some common names) provide the rat control services. The plan is to send the companies out on calls to homes to provide the rat control services to the home owners. Then, the pest control company can then sell the homeowner services to control pests on the inside of the home.
Smell a rat? Does turning Vector Control into a marketing company for private pest control companies sound like a bad deal to you? Call and write your representative on the Vector Control District. Each of the 34 incorporated cities has a representative. If you live in the unincorporated areas, your rep is Supervisor John Moorlach.
The representatives for each area are listed. If you have a relationship with them, please use that to tell them "No to Private Pest Control Companies." You can also call, fax and write them at the Vector Control Board. Sending faxes works very well because it creates a paper trail of who objects and carries more weight than an email.
Orange County Vector Control District (OCVCD), 13001 Garden Grove Blvd, Garden Grove, CA 92843
Phone 714-971-2421 949-654-2421 Fax 714-971-3940
Aliso Viejo - Mayor Phillip B. Tsunoda
Anaheim - Council Member Lucille Kring
Brea - Mayor Pro Tem Roy Moore
Buena Park - Council Member Jim Dow
Costa Mesa - Mayor Pro Tem Wendy Leece
Cypress - Mayor Pro Tem Doug Bailey
Dana Point - Mayor Steve H. Weinberg
Fountain Valley - Mayor Pro Tem Cheryl Brothers
Fullerton - Paul Webb
Garden Grove - Mark Rosen
Huntington Beach - Council Member Joe Carchio
Irvine - Council Member Dr. Steven Choi
Laguna Beach - Mayor Pro Tem Toni Iseman
Laguna Hills - Council Member Melody Carruth
Laguna Niguel - Council Member Robert Ming
Laguna Woods - Dr. Robert "Bob" Bouer
La Habra - Mayor Pro Tem James Gomez
Lake Forest - Mayor Pro Tem Richard T. Dixon
La Palma - Council Member Larry A. Herman
Los Alamitos - Ken C. Parker
Mission Viejo - Council Member John Paul Ledesma
Orange - Council Member Denis Bilodeau
Newport Beach - Dr. Virginia L. Barrett
Placentia - Council Member Greg Sowards
Rancho Santa Margarita - Council Member Gary Thompson
San Clemente - Council Member Joe Anderson
San Juan Capistrano - Council Member Laura Freese
Santa Ana - Vacant
Seal Beach - Mayor Pro Tem Michael Levitt
Stanton - Council Member Al Ethans
Tustin - Al Murray
Villa Park - Council Member James Rheins
Westminster - Mayor Pro Tem Frank Fry
Yorba Linda - Council Member Jim Winder
County of Orange - Supervisor John Moorlach
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