Starting in July 2025, the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District will launch an innovative pilot program in South Natomas to combat Aedes aegypti, an aggressive mosquito species known to spread dengue, Zika, and chikungunya.

The strategy? Release sterile male mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia bacteria twice a week. These sterile males mate with wild females, but the resulting eggs don’t hatch, reducing mosquito populations over time. Officials emphasize that these males do not bite or pose a risk to humans.

Why now? Aedes aegypti populations have been rising across Northern California, including urban Los Angeles County, where stagnant water sources like bird baths and flowerpots provide perfect breeding conditions. Even a bottle cap’s worth of water can support mosquito larvae.

Residents are urged to eliminate standing water, report mosquito activity, and support vector control staff efforts to curb this public health threat. This pilot could serve as a model for future interventions in other high-risk regions.