At a Glance
- Aedes aegypti mosquitoes have been biting residents in El Segundo since November.
- The problem appears linked to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant.
- Local officials are coordinating with LA County to identify and treat hotspots.
- Why it matters: The bites are disrupting families’ sleep and raising health concerns.
El Segundo residents are battling an invisible enemy that has turned their nights into a fight for sleep. Since November, the city’s homes have been plagued by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes-tiny “ankle biters” that attack indoors and outdoors at all times of day.
The Bite and the Buzz
Richard Johnson, a longtime El Segundo resident, showed a portable bug zapper to News Of Los Angeles reporters. “Look how tiny they are there,” he said. He described the mosquitoes as “just really tiny,” and explained that they are Aedes aegypti, a species that has been spreading across Southern California for the past decade.
Unlike the larger Culex mosquitoes that come out at dusk and dawn, Aedes aegypti can bite at any time, making them especially troublesome for families who spend time indoors. The bites have left residents with itchy welts and sleepless nights.
Samantha Hedding, who lives across the street, said, “It’s horrible. We’re living no sleep. The kids are miserable.” She added that the constant biting forces her children to go to school late because they’re up all night dealing with mosquitoes.
A Possible Source
The problem appears to stem from a strip of land owned by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). The easement separates El Segundo homes from LADWP’s Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant, which treats 230 million gallons of water a day.
Mayor Chris Pimentel noted that most, if not all, affected neighborhoods directly butt up against City of Los Angeles properties. He explained that the city is working with the City of Los Angeles and the LA County West Vector Control District to identify the problem spots.
> “The tricky part is it’s not ours, right? So you’re coordinating with someone because it’s not our land,” Pimentel said. “And obviously a something like big, like a municipal water treatment plant that treats 230 million gallons of water a day, that’s a sensitive site. And the chemistries that go in, you have to make sure it doesn’t affect the chemistries they use for the treatment.”
Pimentel added that vector control has been testing since December, but no West Nile virus has been detected. He described the situation as “cold comfort” for residents who are still dealing with welts.
Residents’ Efforts and Frustrations
Richard Johnson recently reinforced his doors and windows, yet the mosquitoes still find a way inside. “I don’t know how it’s going to end until somebody takes care of it,” he said.
Neighbors report that the biting intensity has fluctuated. Hedding said, “It has lightened, but it’s very awkward. One night will be light. And when we’re thinking, ‘Oh great, we got relief.’ And then the next night, right back to square zero.”
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| November | First reports of Aedes aegypti bites in El Segundo |
| December | Vector control testing begins; no West Nile virus detected |
| Ongoing | City of El Segundo coordinates with LA County and LADWP to identify hotspots |
What’s Next
- The city will continue to work with LADWP and the West Vector Control District.
- Residents are encouraged to use personal protection such as repellents and screens.
- Officials are monitoring the situation for any signs of disease transmission.
The mosquito outbreak has turned a quiet Southern California neighborhood into a battleground for sleep and health. While the city and county work to find a solution, residents must rely on personal measures and patience as the fight continues.
Key Takeaways
- Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are biting residents of El Segundo since November.
- The bites are linked to a strip of land near the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant.
- Local officials are coordinating with LADWP and LA County to address the problem.
- Residents are urged to use repellents and keep windows closed while the investigation continues.
