El Segundo has a major mosquito problem.
Over the past two months, residents in the Los Angeles County suburb say their neighborhoods have been overtaken by the blood-sucking insects — and they’re fed up.
“My kids are covered in bites,” one resident told KTLA 5. “We’re up from midnight to 4:30 a.m. every day, killing mosquitoes.”
Mayor Chris Pimentel said the infestation may have been triggered by recent rains. Standing water was identified near the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant, located near El Segundo but within L.A. City limits. That provided a likely breeding ground.
“While the impact is across the El Segundo area, Operations staff at the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant are in coordination with El Segundo City officials and County Vector Control to proactively and aggressively mitigate any possible impacts from the Hyperion Plant,” said a spokesperson for the L.A.’s sanitation department. “LA City staff will continue this critical coordination to ensure the safety of El Segundo residents.”
El Segundo officials are working with county vector control on mitigation efforts, Pimentel told KTLA 5. Officials also note there have been no confirmed mosquito-borne disease outbreaks linked to the infestation so far.
Click here to learn how residents can protect themselves.