How To Take The Bite Out Of Mosquito Season

As overnight temperatures rise, Culex mosquitoes begin to hatch. They can carry the West Nile virus, which infected more than 420 people in California last year, killing 19 of them.

Another kind of mosquito is being tested for dengue virus after two people in Los Angeles County contracted the virus last fall, the first locally acquired cases in California. Both people survived.

There’s no local dengue now, but experts say the virus is likely to crop up again and the pesticides used to kill mosquitoes that can spread it have lost some of their bite.

That’s because overuse of over-the counter herbicides can cause the insects to become resistant to the chemicals, said Tristan Hallam, director of scientific programs with the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District.

Some weed killers contain active ingredients similar to pest control sprays, he said.

“Because it’s being used in two separate scenarios on a consistent basis, there are more opportunities for these adult mosquitoes to have that resistance build up within these populations,” Hallam said.

How To Take The Bite Out Of Mosquito Season

Hallum tests local mosquitoes and rotates which pesticides vector control uses when too many show resistance.

The best defense is to prevent mosquito bites, and keep the insects from getting in your home or breeding nearby.

Continue reading the article written by Jackie Fortiér here.

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February 11, 2025

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Jackie Fortier

Periodista jefe de sanidad

Cubro la sanidad en el sur de California y el sector sanitario en la zona de Los Ángeles.

Empecé en esta redacción justo antes de que la pandemia paralizara casi todo y ha sido un año intenso en el que he trabajado para que lo que está pasando sea lo más fácil de entender posible. Por ejemplo, ésta es la misión que nos fijamos para cubrir el despliegue de la vacuna:

Ayudaremos a los angelinos a obtener información precisa y actualizada sobre la vacuna, a sortear los obstáculos para vacunarse y a compartir nuestras experiencias mientras intentamos llegar al otro lado de esta pandemia.

Anteriormente trabajé en la radio pública en Oklahoma y Colorado, pero me he enamorado de las montañas y las playas de California. Si escuchas con atención cuando estoy en directo en la radio 89.3 KPCC, puede que oigas a mis tres gatos hacer acto de presencia, a pesar de mis esfuerzos por mantenerlos callados.

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