There are three invasive mosquitoes that are making Los Angeles residents and health officials worried. The three new black-and-white mosquitoes are the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) and Australian backyard mosquito (Aedes notoscriptus).
The Asian tiger mosquito currently poses the biggest health risk in Los Angeles County because they have taken a broad hold of our communities and have rapidly expanded in less than four years.
These mosquitoes adapt very well to urban environments. Once introduced, they can thrive in our neighborhoods. While the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (GLACVCD) is working hard to fight these invasive insects, they can’t do it alone. We need your help.
How to Stay Mosquito-Free
- Report black-and-white, daytime-biting mosquitoes to 562-944-9656 or ReportMosquitoes.org. This FREE service includes inspection and treatment.
- Remove or drill holes in the bottom of all plant pots, saucers, barrels, bins, and old tires.
- Do not keep water in buckets or root plant cuttings in water. Sharing plant cuttings can spread mosquito eggs.
- Cover trashcans, toys and recycle bins, and keep unneeded items out of the rain.
- Ensure rain barrels are properly sealed. Thousands of eggs can be laid inside rain barrels.
- Wear insect repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, IR 3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
- Request FREE mosquitofish from the County Vector Control District.
The District provides FREE mosquitofish to all District residents for placement on their property only. Please call the District Headquarters at (562) 944-9656 or the Sylmar Branch at (818) 364-9589 to request FREE mosquitofish for your home.
About Mosquitofish
(Gambusia affinis)
First introduced to California in 1922 for mosquito control. Instead of using insecticides to control mosquitoes, fish are an attractive and effective alternative. This method is referred to as biological control and is part of the Integrated Vector Management Program at the District.
Advantages of Using Mosquitofish Over Other Fish In Water Sources
- Gambusia are specific to consuming mosquito larvae. This is due to their upturned mouths naturally adapted for this purpose.
- Small, which enables them to inhabit shallow waters and penetrate dense vegetation growth where larvae and pupae hide.
- Broad tolerance to a wide range of environmental conditions, such as temperature changes, salinity, organic pollution, and poor food supply.
- Relative lack of disease.
- Easily maintained.
About GLACVCD
They are a California government and public health service agency formed under the authority of the CA State Health & Safety Code. Their mission is to reduce populations of public health vectors below nuisance levels, prevent human infection associated with mosquito-transmitted diseases, and prevent the loss of property values and commercial enterprise as the result of vector occurrence and activity.
