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Invasive Mosquitos

We need your help!

Please contact us, if you see these mosquitoes in Santa Barbara County.

Close-up photos of Asian Tiger Mosquitoes
Unless viewed under a microscope, the Asian Tiger and Yellow Fever mosquitoes look almost identical to each other.
Close-up photos of Yellow fever mosquitoes
People in Southern California call these "ankle biters".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                         

 

        

Invasive Aedes in California

Among the 27 counties in which one or both of these invasive mosquito species have been found are Los Angeles, Ventura, Fresno, Madera, Kern, Tulare, San Diego, Imperial, Orange, Alameda, Riverside, and San Mateo Counties:

  • Aedes albopictus--Asian tiger mosquito
  • Aedes aegypti--Yellow fever mosquito

These mosquito species:

  • are small (1/4 inch long).
  • are dark-colored with bright white markings.
  • bite during daytime.
  • may bite and reproduce indoors.
  • prefer to feed on mammals, especially people.
  • will lay eggs in buckets, flower pot saucers, old tires, and various other types of containers that are partially filled with water, along with many other backyard, or even indoor, water sources.
  • lay eggs that can remain viable for months on dry surfaces of containers.
  • can transmit chikungunya virus, dengue fever, West Nile virus, yellow fever, and Zika virus, as well as dog heartworm.
  • are not native to California - help us prevent their spread.

For more information, visit the Cailfornia Dept of Public Health's webpage on invasive Aedes mosquitoes.

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