Invasive Mosquitoes Attack And Grow In Number In Los Angeles California - Real Bugs

 The mosquito population is growing in LA. Two invasive species in particular: the Asian Tiger Mosquito or Aedes albopictus, and the Aedes aegypti.

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/pages/Aedes-aegypti-and-Aedes-albopictus-mosquitoes.aspx

https://cisr.ucr.edu/invasive-species/asian-tiger-mosquito

Not sure which ones are in larger numbers in my area, but I feel the ones I battle nowadays are the darker Tiger Mosquitoes. The pesky creatures are invading parks and yards, and sneaking into buildings without windows screens, or as soon as the screen is opened to allow for air circulation, which is needed these days as we get hit by successive heatwaves.

Both species are bad news anyway since they can carry dangerous viruses and transmit them to humans, plus they are incredibly annoying and sting badly.

Aedes aegypti (Wikipedia)

Aedes albopictus (Wikipedia)

As mentioned in the UCR and CDC articles, it is agressive and bites anytime during the day, although I notice that, like all the mosquitoes, they are more active at and around dawn.

It is also very sneaky, it flies in zig-zags around you for a moment and then attacks relentlessly. If disturbed it will fly off and hide for a while. Makes you think it's gone. Not at all, it is just resting nearby, usually in a shaded and cool area, before laughing it's next attack.

It is small in size making spotting it relatively difficult. When biting, it monitors the environment around it with its sensors, so a swift move is needed to splat it, else it will escape if you're too slow.

It likes to bite your ankles the most. I also got bit on hands, elbows, behind the knee and upper leg, feet and on the neck. It bites through light fabric as well, like thin socks.

I find using an electric but zapper (or electric swat racket) works well when the insect is flying if:

1- You have the patience to observe and follow the insect movement as it figures where it's gonna bite, you need a good vision.

2- You "scoop" the insect with the racquet in a bottom-up movement. If you try to zap it sideways or from the top down, and you're not fast enough, it will detect your presence and escape. From the bottom up you need less speed as it seems to be much less aware of what's moving/coming from under it.

You can also monitor your ankles, legs and feet, as it is likely to attack there first. Again be patient, let it land. Approach your hand no closer to about one foot (any less distance and it will detect you and escape) and then strike as fast as you can.

Before going to bed, inspect your bedroom, I found a few specimen hanging on the white walls. They will bite you as you sleep, so kill them before they can attack you.

Mosquitoes repellents or loose clothing that cover your skin (or both) work well if you can't be bothered with all that hunting nonsense. But know that it only repels them for a while, and if they are still alive, they will continue to attack. I've killed 20 of then last week alone.