Community Corner
Strong Winds Could Aid in Fight Against Invasive Mosquito
The Asian tiger mosquito thrives in humid conditions, and dry winds could kill eggs.
Strong Santa Ana winds that are still sweeping through the San Gabriel Valley may provide ideal conditions to aid in the fight against the invasive Asian tiger mosquito.
“It is still too early to know whether the high winds had any impact on the population,” Truc Dever, director of community affairs for Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District, told Diamond Bar Patch. “In general, we are continuing to see Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito) activity but at much lower levels than during the summer. This is likely attributed to the weather; shorter days, colder nights, wind.”
The mosquitos - which have distinctive black and white bands and bite during the day - thrive in humid, moist microclimates, like backyards filled with tropical ornamentals and potted plants that require lots of watering. All of the water can raise the relative humidity, creating the perfect breeding grounds. However, the wind could dry the area, desiccating exposed eggs.
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“At this point, both the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District and the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District are looking at novel ways to break the life cycle of this mosquito, including ways to kill the eggs,” Dever said. “Tests conducted in lab settings at SGVMVCD showed these eggs will desiccate under certain conditions. Our focus is to eradicate this species from Los Angeles County and we can only do this with the help of the public and residents. Fortunately, at this point, we have not identified more of these Asian tiger mosquitoes outside of the El Monte and South El Monte area, with the exception of the area of unincorporated L.A. County near Duarte.”
GLCVCD will continue to do localized treatments at homes where immature and adult mosquitos have been found, and hope that they can use the winter to really fight against the mosquitos.
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“The real challenge will be in the spring when the weather warms back up and rain floods the eggs that have been deposited in backyard containers,” Dever said. “That is why we're asking residents to get rid of these containers that may collect water over the winter. If there is already standing water in the yard, they should dump and drain and wipe down the containers to get rid of possible eggs.”
If you have been bit by mosquitos during the day, contact GLACVCD at 562-944-9656.
