With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Ankle Biters Are Back In Record Numbers In The SGV
“There is no good mosquito.”
(
(Photo by Jim Stauffer via the Creative Commons on Flickr)
)
That buzzing in your ears? You're not imagining that. There are a lot more bugs out there.
The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District reports record numbers of mosquitoes right now due to warmer temperatures, which speed up the incubation period for bugs, said the district's Levy Sun.
The Culex mosquito, which can carry West Nile virus, is showing up the most right now. It can develop from egg to adult in as little as five days and likes to use stagnant water, like ponds, puddles or bottles, to lay its eggs.
"A lot of people think we live in an urban paradise where there are no insects, but the reality is nature is interwoven into our concrete jungle here, and we cannot escape mosquitoes," Sun said.
Sponsor
But Sun said we should hold off on ordering a bug zapper, as they can catch more than just mosquitoes and hurt the biodiversity of insects in our cities. He suggests a simple solution: Get rid of any stagnant water outside of your home and protect yourself with repellent.
While Aedes mosquito numbers are increasing — the invasive species was first documented in 2010 — it's more active in the fall and winter, according to Sun.
"They are also known as ankle-biters," he said. "They're black and white striped mosquitoes, and these are the ones that actually thrive in our urban environment and prefer to bite people during the day."
As temperatures heat up, we will see more bugs, said Sun. So get ready for #HotBugSummer.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
