Mosquito season is right around the corner and thanks to all the rain the past few months, experts said it could be worse than usual.
Standing water serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The heavy rains in Southern California have created perfect conditions and new places for the insects to multiply.
“With the recent rains, we have more breeding sources, especially in backyards and other areas where residents normally don’t see standing water, they’re going to start seeing it,” Heather Hyland, director of communications at the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District, said. “That could be in a drain, tarps, toys, saucers, even under their deck, people are seeing that there are puddles in other areas.”
Residents should be especially wary of the Aedes “ankle-biting” mosquito, a species that has now been found in every city in Orange County.
This invasive species is very hard to control, officials said, and is very different compared to what people are used to with mosquitoes because Aedes breed differently and are aggressive biters both day and night.
“They can thrive indoors and outdoors, so what we’re telling residents is to take charge of their yard,” Hyland said. “Keep plant saucers dry. Keep your pet’s water dishes clean. Don’t over water your plants. This is kind of going to be a new way of life for people, unfortunately.”
Daniel Parker, assistant professor of population health and disease prevention at UC Irvine, said it is especially important to prevent and watch for Aedes mosquito habitats.
“These mosquitoes also spread a wide variety of diseases, such as dengue fever, Zika and chikungunya,” Parker said in an email. “While these diseases are not currently endemic to our setting, travelers to and from places where they are endemic can bring the viruses back with them. As weather patterns continue to change, and as these invasive mosquitoes continue to expand their habitat in California, vigilance…
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