It’s summertime, when our glorious weather provides the opportunity for yard work and gardening. Here are some tips to keep you and your neighbors safe and healthy this summer and beyond.
Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft is the mayor of Alameda. (photo courtesy of Maurice Ramirez — BANG archives)
Leaf blower ban: Due to the environmental and health impacts of gasoline-powered leaf blowers that emit many harmful toxic pollutants into the air — including carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides (which cause smog formation and acid rain) and hydrocarbons — the Alameda City Council approved an ordinance banning these devices that went into effect in January 2023.
Danielle Mieler, the city of Alameda’s sustainability and resilience manager, notes that an October 2025 UC Irvine policy brief found that fine particulate matter and other emissions from gasoline-powered leaf blowers cause a range of health impacts, including respiratory diseases like asthma, increased cancer risk and premature death that disproportionately affect low-income communities.
These impacts are especially hazardous for equipment operators exposed to these pollutants all day. Also, the high noise level is disruptive to neighbors and wildlife and can cause hearing loss. The good news is that private landscaping and gardening businesses in eligible ZIP codes, including Alameda’s 94501, can apply for a voucher from a Bay Area Air Quality Managemenbt District-approved vendor for $700 to $15,000 per piece of equipment to scrap and replace their old gasoline- or diesel-powered lawn and garden equipment with new electric replacements.
Eligible equipment includes chainsaws, trimmers, edgers, brush cutters, leaf blowers, vacuums, walk-behind mowers and ride-on or stand/sit mowers. Applications are being accepted now on a first-come-first-served basis until all funds have been awarded. For details online, visit baaqmd.gov/en/funding-and-incentives/public-agencies/lawn-and-garden. As a reminder, the Alameda Municipal Code says:
• “It shall be unlawful to operate any portable machine powered with a gasoline, diesel or other combustion engine used to blow leaves, dirt and other debris off sidewalks, driveways, lawns or other surfaces within the city limits.
• No owner of real property, tenant in possession of real property, or person in control of real property shall allow the operation of any portable machine powered with a gasoline, diesel or other combustion engine used to blow leaves, dirt and other debris on the property.
• No person who owns or operates a gardening, landscape maintenance or similar service shall operate or allow an employee or agent of that service to operate any portable machine powered with a gasoline, diesel or other combustion engine used to blow leaves, dirt and other debris within the city limits.”
Violation of this local ordinance is punishable by a fine of up to $250 (Alameda Municipal Code Section 24-14.1). To report a violation of this ordinance, go online to seeclickfix.com/us-ca-alameda/report.
Mosquitos not welcome: Last month, Santa Clara County health officials reported that two county residents had been diagnosed with West Nile Virus, the first two human cases of this mosquito-borne illness in 2026. Common symptoms include fever, headaches and muscle aches, nausea and vomiting, and severe cases can result in neurological illness or death.
Fortunately for Alameda residents, Nick Ksiazek, the city’s representative on the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District Board (ACMAD), reports that Alameda has had no West Nile Virus detections so far this year and that most reported cases have been clustered in the southern Alameda County.
However, to reduce your risk of being bitten and to avoid mosquito-borne illnesses, Nick shares these tips to make your home and property less welcoming to mosquitos and prevent them from breeding near your home:
• eliminate all standing water on your property, and encourage your neighbors to do the same;
• report dead birds by calling 877-WNV-BIRD (877-968-2473);
• stock your fish pond or other water feature with mosquitofish, which are provided at no cost by the ACMAD (visit mosquitoes.org for more information);
• screen your windows and doors, and make sure they fit tightly. Repair or replace screens with tears or holes;
• minimize outside activity at dawn and dusk;
• when outside, wear long sleeve shirts, long pants, and wear repellent with the EPA-registered active ingredients (please follow label directions carefully) IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or picaridin;
• keep outside lighting to a minimum near entry doors (some mosquitos are attracted to lights);
For more information or to report a mosquito issue, please visit mosquitoes.org or call 510-783-7744.
Back to school: Students return to school Aug. 11, so please be especially careful when driving in and around school zones during drop-off and pickup times. And of course, please observe the speed limit and drive responsibly at all times! Stay safe this summer, keep our schoolkids safe and stay “Alameda Strong!”
Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft is the mayor of Alameda. For contact information and other details, visit bit.ly/mayorashcraft online.