The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD) on Tuesday began a weekly release of thousands of X-ray-sterilized non-biting mosquitoes in a Mission Viejo neighborhood in an effort to reduce the number of mosquitoes known as “ankle biters,” authorities said.
Officials said the release of 50,000 to 100,000 sterilized non-biting mosquitoes in the Timberline neighborhood is part of the district’s Sterile Insect pilot project to target the Aedes aegypti populations.
Officials said the number of sterile male mosquitoes released each week will vary based on trap counts collected throughout the target area.
The program aims to suppress mosquito populations by releasing sterilized males that do not bite but reduce reproduction when they mate with wild females.
The program follows more than a year of outreach and community education in the area to prepare residents for the initiative.
Here are some tips from OCVMD to stay mosquito- free:
Remove water-holding containers such as plant pots, saucers, barrels, and bins, or drill drainage holes in them.
Do not leave water standing in buckets, and avoid rooting plant cuttings in water.
Keep trash cans, toys, and recycling bins tightly covered.
Make sure rain barrels are properly sealed.
Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.
For more information, visit: www.ocvector.org