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 .
Southern California Is Fighting Mosquitoes — With More Mosquitoes
Topline:
Tens of thousands of sterilized male mosquitoes will be released in Southern California in June as part of a pilot program aimed at curbing the ankle-biting insect population and reducing the potential spread of diseases.
What species is being targeted? Next month, the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District plans to release 10 sterile aedes aegypti mosquitoes for every wild male that authorities believe is living in the target region, the Sunland-Tujunga area of L.A.
That could be up to 60,000 mosquitoes per week. These mosquitoes live near people and prefer to feed on them, and are more likely to spread viruses than other kinds of mosquitoes.
How will it work? The male mosquitoes are raised in a lab and sterilized with an X-ray machine. The non-biting sterile males will outcompete wild males by sheer number and mate with females, producing eggs that can’t hatch. When the females die off, there won’t be another generation.
Risk of West Nile remains: Keep your insect repellant handy. A different group, known as culex mosquitoes are responsible for transmitting West nile virus, and are not part of the sterile male pilot program.
This sounds familiar: The technique has been around since the 1950s, and was used by the California Department of Food and Agriculture to control the Mediterranean fruit fly and by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to control the screwworm. But officials say it’s new for mosquito control.
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.
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol.
-
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails.
-
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight.
-
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious.
-
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress.
-
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.