LA County unleashes sterile mosquitoes to control the population. Here's how it works
More mosquitoes will be buzzing through Los Angeles County, but this is intended to improve the situation, not worsen it.
Officials have introduced a pilot program called the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), according to an April press release from the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District. The program involves releasing “X-ray sterilized male” mosquitoes in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
The initiative targets the invasive Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, known for spreading viruses such as Zika, yellow fever, chikungunya, and dengue. These mosquitoes are difficult to control and may become resistant to standard insecticides.
The Impact of Mosquitoes on Residents
First detected in El Monte over a decade ago, these mosquitoes have significantly disrupted outdoor activities for residents. California ranks as the state with the most mosquitoes, according to pest control company Terminix.
How the Sterile Insect Technique Works
The sterile male mosquitoes are released into selected areas, where they mate with wild females, resulting in no offspring and a declining pest population.
“The press release stated that when the sterile males mate with local females, the resulting eggs will not hatch, leading to a gradual decrease in the mosquito population.”
Although there will be more mosquitoes in the short term, these sterilized males do not bite or spread viruses, explained Steve Vetrone, the District’s Director of Scientific-Technical Services. He emphasized that this technique is an environmentally friendly way to reduce mosquito populations and minimize disease transmission.
“While residents may see more mosquitoes flying around initially, these won’t contribute to the biting problem,” Vetrone told CBS News. “We hope to see a reduction in bites over the next couple of months. It might look worse before it gets better.”
Program Launch Details
The sterilized male mosquitoes will be released weekly until the fall, with the first batch already unleashed on Thursday. Officials will monitor the program’s progress. USA TODAY has reached out for further comments.
“SIT will not replace traditional mosquito control methods but will serve as an additional tool to enhance our ability to manage mosquito populations effectively,” said District General Manager Susanne Kluh in the press release.
