Invader mosquitoes expected to arrive early – and in droves – this year in Los Angeles and Orange counties

From the Daily Breeze
March 23, 2019

On the heels of Southern California’s big rains, residents now can expect the downside: an early and vicious mosquito season.

Spring is here and the swarms of invasive Aedes mosquitoes that caused so much grief in 2018 are expected to return with a vengeance following this winter’s heavy rains.

Vector control officials in Los Angeles and Orange counties are bracing for what they expect will be a busy year. Since arriving in Southern California in 2011, the tiny “ankle biter” insects have been multiplying every year.

“Since then, we’ve seen a total of three new Aedes species and they are continuing to spread and expand their ranges,” said Kelly Middleton, director of community affairs for the Greater Los Angeles Vector Control District.

“The challenge of (Aedes) is growing,” Middleton said.

Last year’s spread of the tropical mosquito native to Asia had Middleton and her Vector control cohorts besieged with phone calls from the public.

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