BAKERSFIELD, California (KGET) — According to local experts, mosquito season is in full swing and will last until October or November. According to the Kern County Mosquito and Vector Control District, ankle-biting mosquitoes have returned, but you can take precautions now to keep them away from your home. Aedes Aegypti, a small black-and-white mosquito, is already buzzing around Kern County, according to experts.
“It’s a mosquito that will not only bite you multiple times, but it will bite you during the day,” Terry Knight of the Kern County Mosquito and Vector Control District said. “It’s breeding in our front and back yards.” It’s coming back, because we’re already seeing early signs of this mosquito.”
These vexing insects can multiply in even the smallest of water sources, such as a water bottle.
“We’re not looking for huge bodies of water.” “We’re looking for smaller sources,” Knight explained.
They are well-known for laying eggs in potted plants.
“The problem isn’t the pot; it’s the water saucer,” Knight explained. “At least once a week, drain the water from the saucers.” Alternatively, you can fill in the potted plant saucer’s rim with sand.”
Mosquito fish can also be used to combat them at the source.
“I recommend them for ornamental fish ponds, water troughs, or if you have water features in your front or back yard,” Knight explained.
sand-filled plant saucer.”
Mosquito fish can also be used to combat them at the source.
“I recommend them for ornamental fish ponds, water troughs, or if you have water features in your front or back yard,” Knight explained.
CA is considering allowing genetically engineered mosquitos to be released into the wild and is seeking public input.
In the meantime, a more advanced solution is on the horizon. This year, Oxitec released five million genetically engineered mosquitoes in Florida that are not designed to bite humans. Offspring of affected female mosquitos died before reaching adulthood, and male offspring carried the engineered gene that makes them far less aggressive to humans, as hoped. The company intends to release genetically modified mosquitos in Visalia as soon as next summer.
It is important to note that the Aedes Aegypti mosquito does not carry or spread the West Nile virus. The Culex mosquito, which breeds in larger bodies of water such as swimming pools and lakes, is responsible for our local cases. We asked Kern’s Mosquito Control District if they planned to use genetically modified mosquitos, and they said no.
