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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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<\/a> to target the Aedes aegypti populations.<\/p>\n Officials said the number of sterile male mosquitoes released each week will vary based on trap counts collected throughout the target area.<\/p>\n The program aims to suppress mosquito populations by releasing sterilized males that do not bite but reduce reproduction when they mate with wild females.<\/p>\n The program follows more than a year of outreach and community education in the area to prepare residents for the initiative.<\/p>\n Here are some tips from OCVMD to stay mosquito- free:<\/p>\n Remove water-holding containers such as plant pots, saucers, barrels, and bins, or drill drainage holes in them.<\/p>\n Do not leave water standing in buckets, and avoid rooting plant cuttings in water.<\/p>\n Keep trash cans, toys, and recycling bins tightly covered.<\/p>\n Make sure rain barrels are properly sealed.<\/p>\n Use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.<\/p>\n