What are the Invasive Aedes Mosquitoes in Los Angeles County?
The three invasive species are the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) and Australian backyard mosquito (Aedes notoscriptus) do not belong in our natural Southern California environment.
These species are a public health concern throughout the US, including California since they can transmit Zika virus, dengue fever, yellow fever and chikungunya. See where else they are in the state (PDF).
These mosquitoes adapt very well to urban environments (cities). Once introduced, they can thrive in our neighborhoods. While the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District is working hard to fight these invasive insects, we can’t do it alone. We need your help.
yellow fever mosquito
Aedes aegypti (uh-gyp-tie) Confirmed in GLACVCD
- Avocado Heights (unincorporated LA County)
- Bell
- Bell Gardens
- Bellflower
- Boyle Heights (City of L.A.)
- Carson
- Central Alameda (City of L.A.)
- Cerritos
- City Terrace (unincorporated LA County)
- Commerce
- Cudahy
- Diamond Bar
- Downey
- East Hollywood (City of L.A.)
- East Los Angeles (unincorporated LA County)
- El Sereno (City of L.A.)
- Elysian Valley (City of L.A.)
- Florence/Graham (unincorporated LA County)
- Hacienda Heights (unincorporated LA County)
- Hawaiian Gardens
- Highland Park (City of L.A.)
- Historic South Central (City of L.A. – 90007)
- Huntington Park
- Lake View Terrace (City of L.A.)
- La Mirada
- Maywood
- Montebello
- Pacoima
- Paramount
- Pico Rivera
- Rowland Heights
- San Fernando
- Santa Fe Springs
- South Gate
- South Whittier (unincorporated LA County)
- Valley Village (City of L.A.)
- Willowbrook (unincorporated LA County)
Asian tiger mosquito
Aedes albopictus (al-bow-pick-tus) Confirmed in GLACVCD
- Atwater Village (City of L.A.)
- Bassett (unincorporated LA County)
- Avocado Heights (unincorporated LA County)
- Echo Park (City of L.A.)
- Glassell Park (City of L.A.)
- Historic South Central (City of L.A. – 90007)
- La Cañada Flintridge
- La Mirada
- Pellisier Village(unincorporated LA County)
- Pico Rivera
- San Marino
- Silver Lake (City of L.A.)
- South El Monte
- South Whittier (unincorporated LA County)
- Whittier
Australian backyard mosquito (credit: OCMVCD)
Aedes notoscriptus Confirmed in GLACVCD
- La Habra Heights
- Montebello
How Are They Threats to Our Life in the Cities?
There are three things that worry people:
- Can spread Zika, dengue fever, yellow fever and chikungunya virus — The Asian tiger mosquito and yellow fever mosquito (both popularly known as “invasive Aedes mosquitoes”) have the potential to transmit debilitating viruses. These diseases have not been transmitted locally (no local outbreak). However, if a person with the virus spends time in an area where these mosquitoes are found, there is an increased chance of an outbreak occurring in Los Angeles County. Currently, many people visiting known Zika outbreak locations in the U.S. are capable of returning to L.A. County infected — and may not even know it. The Australian backyard mosquito is a concern for the veterinary community since it can transmit canine heartworm.
- They can bite during the day — These bloodsuckers can ruin a family get-together or a warm day at a park. Normally, we expect mosquitoes to bite from dusk to dawn – not so with these invasive mosquitoes.
- They can lay eggs in small containers and thrive indoors — Do you have an old tire in your yard? Or maybe some plant cuttings in a bucket of water in your kitchen? These mosquitoes can lay their eggs in stagnant water sources as small as a bottle cap! There have been reports in Los Angeles County of these mosquitoes biting people inside offices and homes.
What are the symptoms of these diseases?
Watch for:
- Severe headache / eye pain
- Severe muscle / joint pain
- High fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
- Can progress to jaundice, internal bleeding and shock
Watch for:
- Debilitating joint / muscle pain (can last for many months)
- Fever
Watch for:
- Fever
- Rash
- Joint Pain
- Red eyes
For more health information about these diseases, visit:
LA County Department of Public Health
California Department of Public Health
CDC (Search for disease names)
How to Find & Eliminate Them in the Yard and Inside Your Home or Office
These mosquitoes can live and complete their life cycle either indoors or outdoors. Eggs are laid along the waterline of any water-holding container such as flower vases, plant saucers, buckets, used tires, and even plants that hold water like bamboo or bromeliads. Eggs can remain alive for years, and hatch into larvae when conditions are right.
Look for:
- small, black mosquitoes with white stripes
- mosquitoes active and biting during the day — even indoors!
- immature mosquitoes (larvae and pupae) swimming in stagnant water.
Mosquito Life Cycle
The invasive, black-and-white mosquitoes can lay their eggs individually along the waterline of any container. This reduces the effectiveness of “dump and drain!”
Eliminating the Threat
- Remove or drill holes in the bottom of all plant pots, saucers, barrels, bins, and old tires.
- Do not keep water in buckets or root plant cuttings in water. Sharing plant cuttings can spread mosquito eggs.
- Cover trashcans, toys and recycle bins, and keep unneeded items out of the rain.
- Ensure rain barrels are properly sealed. Thousands of eggs can be laid inside rain barrels.
- Wear insect repellent containing DEET, Picaridin, IR 3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
- Report black-and-white, daytime-biting mosquitoes to 562-944-9656 or www.ReportMosquitoes.org. This service includes inspection and treatment, and is at no extra cost.