California mosquito populations face extended season and invasive species threats

Public health officials in California are managing an extended mosquito season and the presence of invasive species. In Santa Barbara County, experts report that mosquito activity, which began as early as March, may continue until mid-November. While no local West Nile virus cases have been detected, officials have identified the Yellow fever mosquito in Carpinteria and the aggressive Australian backyard mosquito in Santa Barbara. The latter is known to transmit heartworm in dogs.

In the Coachella Valley, the Mosquito and Vector Control District reported success using an innovative biological control method in North Shore. By releasing nearly 960,000 male mosquitoes carrying a naturally occurring bacterium, officials reduced the population of the invasive Aedes aegypti species by 56% compared to other cities in the region. This species is a known vector for dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses.