From the Daily Democrat
March 26, 2019
Yes, the rain is still falling, despite those occasional sunny days. Yes, it’s great we’re out of a drought. Yes, it’s tough dealing with all the water. Yes, our lawns and gardens are green again.
So, what’s the downside? Well, on the heels of all this rain, we can now expect an early and vicious mosquito season.
Spring is here and the swarms of mosquitoes — including the Aedes mosquitoes that caused so much grief in 2018 — are expected to return with a vengeance.
This past weekend people headed outdoors got a taste — just a taste — of what’s to come with more bugs emerging. And we’re sure mosquitoes got a taste as well.
Vector control officials across the state are bracing for what they expect will be a busy year, including those in Southern California where the tiny “ankle biter” Aedes insects have been multiplying every year since they arrived in 2011.
“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.