The Mosquito and Vector Management District of Santa Barbara County recently found two “aggressive” and “invasive” mosquito species in the county.
A yellow fever mosquito was found in Carpinteria earlier this month, and an Australian backyard mosquito was found in Santa Barbara in March.
“They are just very annoying, aggressive biters,” said Brian Cabrera, general manager of the Mosquito and Vector Management District.
The yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, was found in a home, Cabrera said.
The species, which has a distinct white scale pattern on its thorax, bites aggressively during the day, earning the nickname “ankle-biter,” he added.
“What is interesting about this mosquito is that it is very well adapted to living with humans, so it can develop with very small amounts of water, even indoors,” Cabrera said.
The last time the district saw the yellow fever mosquito in Santa Barbara County was in 2021.
“I was expecting them to show up again because they are easily transported, especially the eggs,” Cabrera said.
The eggs can remain dormant for several months without water and then hatch when they come into contact with water, he added.
The district has placed traps where the mosquito was found in Carpinteria and will be monitoring them.
Similarly, in March, another ‘ankle biter’ was found in Santa Barbara.
The Australian backyard mosquito, Aedes notoscriptus, was found in Santa Barbara’s Westside neighborhood, making it the first time it was spotted in the county.
Since March, the district has collected more than 40 of those mosquitoes in the Westside and Mesa neighborhoods of the city.
The presence of both mosquito species can impact residents’ quality of life and they can transmit viruses, Cabrera added.
The district has also deployed traps for mosquitoes and their eggs where the insects were found.
The district advises residents to remove any standing water and scrub containers where eggs may be and to contact the district at 805.969.5050 if they find these two species.
The district also offers free services to help residents with mosquito-related problems.
