Invasive species still causing problems this winter; Vector Control District stretched thin, residents must do more
By Brooklynn Wong
Mosquito bites here in Buena Park are no longer synonymous with hot summer nights. Certain invasive species are unfortunately here to stay and are biting in the winter, and during the day.
Rick Howard of the Orange County Vector & Mosquito Control District provided an update at this week’s City Council Meeting, saying that they are still receiving unprecedented numbers of calls for service and educating residents on what they can do.
Aedes mosquitoes, an invasive species, are now a fact of life in much of Orange County. They bite during the day, usually bite around the ankles and are likely being bred closer to you than you think.
Unlike other species of mosquitoes, aedes do not fly far, only about 150-200 feet, so Howard said if you are being bitten regularly, your home, your yard or your neighbor’s yard is likely a breeding ground.
in 2017, the Vector & Mosquito Control District received just over 3000 service requests. In 2018 that number was doubled. And they are projected to receive 8000 calls for service in 2019, and only further on and up after that.
In 2017 the percent of calls that they received that were in regards to mosquitoes was 44%, but was then up to 64% last year.
Howard said this rate of service requests is unsustainable for them to keep up with. The community must do more.
So what exactly can be done?
Get rid of or regularly clean places they are drawn to for breeding, namely standing water. Bromeliads are plants that they are particularly drawn to, since the plants hold water.
Howard said “this is a shared responsibility.”
Much like what residents have heard about the coyote problem, everyone must do their part rather than waiting until it becomes an issue and then calling in the understaffed experts.
Howard cited Mission Viejo as a success story, saying that in 2015 that city “was ground zero for [mosquito breeding] in Orange County,” but entire neighborhoods cleaned up and there is zero breeding there now.
The Vector & Mosquito Control District has been conducting work at Knott’s Berry Farm for the last several months, as it was determined that breeding was happening there. They have been working with Knott’s staff to manage the issue.
Howard emphasized that if a resident calls with an issue, an inspector will come out to walk through the property and educate and try to find the breeding sources.
More information can be found at ocvector.org.
