![\"Close-up](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/147327562-1.jpg\")
Residents tormented by the mosquitoes have named them \u201cankle biters.\u201d SILVIA MAQQ \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n
The agency said a total of four \u2018Aedes aegypti\u2019 mosquitoes, capable of causing dengue fever, were trapped in different locations across Santa Barbara last week. Two were found near North Voluntario and Cota streets, one at Laguna and East Carrillo, and one near East Victoria and Olive.<\/p>\n
According to the District, the same species was found Oct. 20 in the eastern Goleta Valley, near Turnpike Road and Calle Real, and in Carpinteria in July.<\/p>\n
A second non-native species is already in town. Australian backyard mosquitoes, \u2018Aedes notoscriptus,\u2019 were found in Santa Barbara\u2019s West Side in March and in the Mesa neighborhood in June.<\/p>\n
Both species like to bite around the feet and ankles, and they do it during the day, indoors and out. Residents tormented by the pests have named them \u201cankle biters.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease contact the District if you find yourself being bitten by aggressive mosquitoes indoors or outdoors during daytime hours,\u201d the agency said, asking residents to call 805-969-5050 or send a message through the \u201cContact Us\u201d page on its website.<\/p>\n
Dengue fever is often accompanied by severe body aches, giving it the nickname \u201cbreakbone fever.\u201d <\/p>\n
According to the Mayo Clinic<\/a>, individuals typically display symptoms 4 to 10 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito<\/p>\n Santa Barbara\u2019s troubles come as the whole region swelters through what many residents call a year of agony. Record-shattering heat waves and El Ni\u00f1o threats have turned Southern California into a breeding paradise for the winged pests.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been here my whole life and the amount of mosquitoes I\u2019ve seen this summer has been insane,\u201d one woman said in a TikTok video<\/a> that has drawn more than 21,000 likes.<\/p>\n Los Angeles County has recorded over 180 cases of West Nile virus<\/a> this year\u2014the highest spike in nearly a decade, according to the local public health department.<\/a><\/p>\n The region\u2019s native \u2018Culex\u2019 mosquito picks up West Nile from wild birds before passing it on to humans. In nearby Orange County, vector control officials have pulled a staggering 850 traps loaded with West Nile-positive bugs, reports the Guardian.<\/a><\/p>\n Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a> \t\t\t\t\t\t![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/santa-barbara-cityscape-surrounded-mountains-147446211.jpg\")
Australian backyard mosquitoes, \u2018Aedes notoscriptus,\u2019 were found in Santa Barbara\u2019s West Side in March. Getty Images<\/p>\n
California Post Sports Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, X<\/a>
California Post Opinion<\/a>
California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!<\/a>
California Post App: Download here!<\/a>
Home delivery: Sign up here!<\/a>
<\/a>Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!<\/a><\/p>\n