Mosquitoes don’t respect fences—they fly freely from yard to yard, spreading disease across Orange County. That’s why eliminating standing water on your property isn’t enough—we all need to pitch in. Help protect your community: dump and drain any standing water you find.

The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD) works year-round to stop mosquitoes from breeding and biting, while educating the public and controlling the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.

Fast Facts

• Mosquitoes need water to breed—just five to seven days is enough to complete their life cycle.
• Most mosquitoes come from small backyard sources: birdbaths, buckets, bromeliads, plant saucers—even a bottle cap.
• Only female mosquitoes bite, and their bites can transmit diseases to people and pets.
• Adult mosquitoes rest in grass and shrubs but don’t breed there.

Know Your OC Mosquitoes

Culex (southern house mosquito):

• Breeds in gutters, ponds, and green pools
• Active at dusk and dawn
• Spreads West Nile virus and encephalitis

Aedes (Asian tiger/ankle-biter):

• Breeds in small containers like plant saucers and buckets
• Eggs survive dry conditions for years
• Bites aggressively during the day
• Can transmit Zika, dengue, yellow fever and dog heartworm

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

• Keep doors and windows screened and in good repair.
• Dump water from plant saucers and containers regularly.
• Scrub birdbaths and pet bowls weekly.
• Store empty containers upside down or covered.

Protect Yourself Outdoors

• Use EPA-registered repellents with DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
• Wear long sleeves, long pants and light-colored clothing.

For more tips, local mosquito updates and how to become a neighborhood advocate, visit ocvector.org.

For more Village news, click on the tag “What’s Up in the Village” below. 

Communication is the key to an informed, involved and empowered community. Whether you’re looking to ask a question, share a concern, find answers or stay in the know, there are many ways to connect with Village Management Services (VMS), your elected boards and fellow residents.

Use this guide to explore the many ways you can get in touch—from sending an email or attending a meeting, to subscribing to news updates or tuning in to Village TV.

To view or download a printable version of this communication guide, click the orange button down below.

For more Village news, click on the tag “What’s Up in the Village” below.

Distraction theft happens when you least expect it. Thieves use friendly conversation, offers to help or emotional appeals like hugs or prayers to catch you off guard and steal valuables such as wallets, jewelry or phones. These scams often involve more than one person and frequently occur in store parking lots and public areas.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department shares these simple tips to help you stay safe:

• Stay aware. Be cautious if approached by strangers. Keep an eye on your surroundings and belongings.
• Travel light. Carry only essentials. Use zippered bags and keep valuables in front pockets.
• Protect your space. Don’t let strangers touch you or place items like jewelry on you.
• Choose wisely. Need help with groceries? Ask a store employee—not a stranger.
• Secure your vehicle. Lock your doors right away. Speak to strangers through a slightly cracked window.
• Speak up. If someone gets too close or makes you uncomfortable, firmly say “No!” to draw attention.

If you experience or witness distraction theft, report it immediately.
Call the OC Sheriff’s Department at 949-770-6011, or 9-1-1 if it’s an emergency.

For more Village news, click on the tag “What’s Up in the Village” below.

In a community as vibrant as ours, shared spaces rely on mutual respect. Mailrooms—especially in multistory buildings—can quickly become cluttered with flyers, junk mail, packages and discarded items.

To keep these areas clean, safe and welcoming for everyone, please collect your mail and packages promptly and dispose of unwanted materials properly.

Let’s work together to keep our community spaces neat—your neighbors will appreciate it!

For more Village news, click on the tag “What’s Up in the Village” below.

Did you know that Friday, April 11, is National Pet Day? To celebrate our beloved companions, the City of Laguna Woods asks all pet owners to consider caring for them in environmentally conscious ways that also celebrate our local area:

• Bathe pets indoors when possible or have them professionally groomed.
• Pick up pet waste with a bag, tie it shut and place it in a closed bin.
• Dispose of unused flea control products (shampoo, sprays or collars) at your local household hazardous waste collection facility. Empty containers may be placed in a closed trash bin.

Thank you for helping your local creeks and ocean thrive while caring for your pets. Click here for more pet care tips or click here to learn about the City of Laguna Woods’ water quality (stormwater) program.

For more Village news, click on the tag “What’s Up in the Village” below.

GRF, United and Third monthly open board meetings are uploaded to the Village YouTube channel for residents to watch at their convenience.

If you missed this last month’s broadcasts, you can catch up here:

• GRF board meeting, March 4
• United board meeting, March 11
• Third board meeting, March 18

To stay informed about upcoming meetings and participation details, check out the “Upcoming Meetings” section at the end of every edition of “What’s Up in the Village.” Click on the PDF link to view or download it for easy access.

Want more “This Day” and other great programming? Visit the Village YouTube channel.

For more Village news, click on the tag “What’s Up in the Village” below.

One of the great services provided by VMS Landscaping Services is the weekly garden clipping pickup. Simply email Resident Services at residentservices@vmsinc.org or call 949-597-4600 any time before noon on Thursday, provide your address, and your garden waste will be picked up on Friday morning. 

If you submit your request after the deadline, your request will be honored as soon as possible the following week.

Place clippings or garden waste close to the curb, but not until Thursday evening. Please do not place garden clippings in the organic recycling bins. As a reminder, clippings are not permitted to be disposed of in the organic recycling bins throughout the Village. 

If you have trash, recycling and organics recycling questions, concerns or requests, please email CR&R at LagunaWoods-Recycles@CRRmail.com or call 949-625-6735. 

For more Village news, click on the tag “What’s Up in the Village” below.

In light of the recent wildfires in Los Angeles, some residents have asked about the fire safety of roofs in our community. While no roofing material is entirely fireproof, it’s important to know that all residential roofs in United and Third Mutuals—as well as those on GRF facilities—meet current building and fire code standards.

All Village roofs carry a Class A fire rating, the highest level of fire resistance, meaning they offer strong protection against severe fire exposure.

Additionally, all roof and attic vents are equipped with protective screens, and all fireplace chimneys include spark arrestors to help prevent ember intrusion.

If you notice a damaged screen or spark arrestor on your unit, please contact Resident Services (residentservices@vmsinc.org, 949-597-4600) to request an inspection and, if needed, a repair or replacement.

For more Village news, click on the tag “What’s Up in the Village” below. 

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has released updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps for Southern California, including Laguna Woods. These maps classify areas as “moderate,” “high” or “very high” fire hazard zones based on factors such as vegetation (fuel), slope, fire weather and wind patterns.

The maps help determine where defensible space standards (including upcoming Zone 0 regulations) and wildland-urban interface building codes apply.

By state law, cities must adopt these updated maps within 120 days and cannot reduce the designated hazard zones.

View the updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone map for Laguna Woods at cityoflagunawoods.org/projects and at Laguna Woods City Hall (24264 El Toro Road) during business hours.

Laguna Woods City Council will consider adopting the updated map at its regular meeting on Wednesday, May 21, at 2 p.m. at city hall.

Learn more about fire hazard severity zones here.

Direct questions and comments to the city’s Planning & Environmental Services Department at planning@cityoflagunawoods.org or 949-639-0561.

For more Village news, click on the tag “What’s Up in the Village” below. 

The Laguna Woods Village Community Center is a very busy place. Pedestrians and vehicles are constantly coming and going, focused on reaching this bustling hub that houses Resident Services, Recreation and Special Events, and other VMS departments, as well as the fitness center and third-floor amenities like table tennis, the computer labs and the multipurpose room.

With frequent activity surrounding the Community Center, please be extra vigilant of pedestrians and exercise caution when driving through or parking at the facility. The recommended speed limit in the Community Center parking lot is 5 to 10 mph.

For more Village news, click on the tag “What’s Up in the Village” below.