Aedes Mosquitoes (Ankle Biters)
Do You Have Any of These Mosquito Sources? 🤔
Aedes (pronounced "aid-dees") mosquitoes are aggressive, black-and-white insects that thrive in our cities. Aedes mosquitoes are also called "ankle biters" due to their behavior of biting people near the feet. Don't be fooled: These mosquitoes will bite any exposed skin that doesn't have on repellent.
These are not your common Southern house mosquitoes, which are light brown in color.
Aedes mosquitoes primarily bite humans.
Aedes love humans, but not just for our blood 🩸. Our communities and homes provide the perfect hang out spots and water sources, too. After taking our blood, female mosquitoes search for stagnant water 💦 to lay their eggs!
What's the big deal about Aedes mosquitoes?
They are efficient at transmitting (spreading) several fatal human arboviruses including chikungunya, dengue, yellow fever, and Zika. In recent U.S. history, Aedes mosquitoes were responsible for Zika outbreaks in Florida, Texas, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. If you travel (Europe, Asia and South America), please be aware you could be a carrier of these diseases and not know it!
How Do I Know They're Infesting My Home? 🏡
- You or a family member receive mosquito bites during the day, even if it's you're standing outside for a few minutes!
- Mosquitoes are biting indoors (office, home, garage, etc.)
- You notice black-and-white adult mosquitoes about the size of a pencil eraser head.
How Do I Keep Them Out of My Home? 🏡
Aedes mosquitoes are considered a nuisance in San Gabriel Valley. The best way to enjoy being outside is to use mosquito repellent. There are many options.
Tip out any stagnant water, and toss out unused containers. All mosquitoes require stagnant water to lay their eggs and grow. This is called “source reduction.” If done weekly, source reduction is much more effective at eliminating mosquitoes than using pesticides!
In order to reduce the population and control the nuisance, residents must take responsibility for their own yards and work with their neighbors to do the same. Make mosquito source reduction a part of your weekly routine.
MORE WAYS TO GET RID OF MOSQUITOES 🚫🦟
How did invasive Aedes mosquitoes get here? 🤷🏽♂️
In 2011 our staff identified a thriving population of Aedes albopictus (one type of Aedes mosquito) in the city of El Monte. The mosquito was able to use stagnant water in flower pots, planters, and watered vegetation surrounding people’s homes. In subsequent years, Aedes aegypti and Aedes notoscriptus were also identified in the Los Angeles area.
Reports started coming in of localized infestations up and down the entire state of California. The statewide infestation of invasive Aedes is due to multiple introductions from shipments of goods contaminated with mosquito eggs. People moving with plants and containers can also carry Aedes eggs.
Get interactive: Map of Aedes Mosquitoes Invasion (CA Dept. of Public Health) 🌎
