HealthWednesday, November 4
Invasive 'ankle biter' mosquitoes were found in the city of Santa Barbara on Oct. 30
The Daily Santa Barbara team
If you live in the city of Santa Barbara, check your yard for standing water. Four invasive Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, nicknamed "ankle biters," were found in the city on Oct. 30, the Mosquito and Vector Management District of Santa Barbara County reports.
Four Aedes aegypti were found in two city areas on Oct. 30
| Area | Near | Detections |
|---|---|---|
| Eastside | N. Voluntario and E. Cota streets | 2 |
| Northeast of downtown | Laguna and E. Carrillo streets | 1 |
| Northeast of downtown | E. Victoria and Olive streets | 1 |
Sources: The Santa Barbara Independent, Noozhawk
General manager Brian Cabrera said "we are at a critical turning point," because recent rain and warm temperatures create "ideal breeding conditions." Eggs can stay viable for months, even dry, and hatch in water as small as a bottlecap.
- Report daytime biters: (805) 969-5050 or mvmdistrict.org
- Dump standing water and scrub the sides to remove clinging eggs
- Fix holes in window and door screens
- Aedes notoscriptus also found: Westside in March, Mesa in June
Aedes aegypti has been detected in Carpinteria, near Goleta and in the city since July
- JulyAedes aegypti detected in downtown Carpinteria, the county's first since 2021
- Oct. 16Adults and larvae collected near North Turnpike Road and Calle Real
- Oct. 30Four detections in the city of Santa Barbara
Sources: The Santa Barbara Independent, Noozhawk
Aedes aegypti can spread dengue: Los Angeles County had 20 confirmed locally transmitted cases in 2024 and 2025. Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever are not known to be present in California.
Sources: The Santa Barbara Independent, Noozhawk