....New Threat!
.... The Asian tiger mosquito was recently identified in an El Monte neighborhood. This aggressive day-biting mosquito is not native to California and has not been seen in the San Gabriel Valley since 2001, when they were accidentally imported in shipments of “Lucky Bamboo” plants .
This mosquito:
..Is very small (approx. ¼ inch), with distinctive black and white bands on its thorax, abdomen, and legs. They are aggressive biters and are active during daylight hours as well as dusk and dawn.
..Is a container breeder and prefers to lay its eggs onto the inside of water-filled containers or on stems of aquatic plants. When flooded, the eggs hatch and larvae emerge, maturing to biting adults in 7-12 days.
..Is a native of tropical and subtropical Southeast Asia but has invaded other countries through international transport and travel. When established, they become a significant pest and are able to transmit many serious diseases including dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, encephalitis-causing viruses and the parasite responsible for heartworm in dogs and cats.
...Asian tiger mosquitoes are responsible for recent outbreaks of dengue virus in Florida, Hawai’i, and Texas. If this mosquito becomes permanently established in California, residents will have to live with an even greater risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases.
To protect yourself from WNV and other mosquito borne diseases:
• Report mosquito breeding areas
• Report dead birds, particularly crows, hawks and jays to be tested for WNV
• Report green swimming pools and other standing water. You can report anonymously and the County will treat the pool for mosquitoes free of charge
• Dump and drain all standing water around your home
• Discard or put away any containers, cans, buckets and old tires around the home
• Use a mosquito repellant from dusk to dawn
• Wear long sleeves and long pants outside from dusk to dawn
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