Current:Home > ScamsBurley Garcia|LA County unleashes sterile mosquitoes to control the population. Here's how it works. -GrowthInsight
Burley Garcia|LA County unleashes sterile mosquitoes to control the population. Here's how it works.
Oliver James Montgomery View
Date:2025-04-06 11:02:10
- The Burley GarciaGreater Los Angeles County Vector Control District is launching a new pilot program called Sterile Insect Technique (SIT).
- The program will release "X-ray sterilized male" mosquitoes in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
- The goal is to target the invasive Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which have been known to spread viruses.
More mosquitoes will be buzzing through the Los Angeles County area − but it's meant to make things better, not worse.
Officials have launched a new pilot program called Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), according to an April press release from the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District. Under this program, they plan to release "X-ray sterilized male" mosquitoes in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
The goal is to target the invasive Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which have been known to spread viruses, including Zika, yellow fever, chikungunya, and dengue. Officials say the mosquitoes are challenging to manage and could become resistant to typical insecticides.
Why do mosquito bites itch?Some people get them more than others. Here's why.
The mosquitoes have been causing havoc for residents
Officials said the mosquitoes were first spotted in the city of El Monte more than a decade ago. Pest control company Terminix ranked California as the state with the most mosquitoes in the nation.
The invasive bugs, in particular, have "significantly altered the outdoor experience" for residents, so officials want to hinder its reproduction cycles.
How the Sterile Insect Technique works
According to the press release, the sterile insects enter the selected areas "where they mate with wild females, resulting in no offspring and a declining pest population."
"Once the sterile males mate with the local females, the resulting eggs will not hatch, decreasing the overall mosquito population over time," the press release said.
The good news is that although mosquitoes will have a greater presence in communities, they do not bite or spread viruses, the District's Director of Scientific-Technical Services, Steve Vetrone, said. He added that the technique is an environmentally friendly solution to reduce mosquito populations and minimize transmission of diseases.
"While they may see a few extra mosquitoes flying around, we're not going to be adding to the biting pressure that they're experiencing," he told CBS News. "Hopefully, in the next couple of months, we're going to be reducing that bite. It's going to look worse before it gets better."
When does the program launch?
According to the report, the sterilized male mosquitoes are expected to be released weekly until the fall. The first batch was unleashed on Thursday, and officials will monitor the progress. USA TODAY reached out for additional comment.
"SIT will not replace traditional mosquito control methods but rather serve as an additional tool in our toolbox, enhancing our ability to manage mosquito populations effectively," District General Manager Susanne Kluh said in the press release.
Last year, experts told USA Today more rainfall and warm temperatures could contribute to an increasing presence of mosquitoes.
veryGood! (88195)
Related
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- What to watch for the Paris Olympics: Simone Biles leads US in gymnastics final Tuesday, July 30
- How watching film helped Sanya Richards-Ross win Olympic medals and Olympic broadcast
- Banks want your voice data for extra security protection. Don't do it!
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Maserati among 313K vehicles recalled: Check car recalls here
- Construction company in Idaho airport hangar collapse ignored safety standards, OSHA says
- Detroit woman who pleaded guilty in death of son found in freezer sentenced to 35 to 60 years
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- More Chinese swimmers secretly tested positive, blamed hamburgers: Report
Ranking
- Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
- Paris Olympics set record for number of openly LGBTQ+ athletes, but some say progress isn’t finished
- 83-year-old Alabama former legislator sentenced to 13 months in federal prison for kickback scheme
- Trump endorses Republican rivals in swing state Arizona congressional primary
- Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
- Man who followed woman into her NYC apartment and stabbed her to death sentenced to 30 years to life
- Redemption tour for USA men's volleyball off to a good start at Paris Olympics
- Selena Gomez hits back at criticism of facial changes: 'I have Botox. That's it.'
Recommendation
How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
Cardinals land Erick Fedde, Tommy Pham in 3-way trade with Dodgers, White Sox
Redemption tour for USA men's volleyball off to a good start at Paris Olympics
The Daily Money: Saying no to parenthood
Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
Voting group asks S. Carolina court to order redraw of US House districts that lean too Republican
How Stephen Nedoroscik Became Team USA's Pommel Horse Hero
Cardinals land Erick Fedde, Tommy Pham in 3-way trade with Dodgers, White Sox