LAKESIDE, Calif. -- Lakeside residents tired of having to stay in their homes because of mosquitoes have help on the way.

The county is treating Lindo Lake, but some park users are shocked by what they are seeing.

"we can't even let my three year old daughter play out there because of the mosquitoes."

That was the call for help from numerous Lakeside residents who live by Lindo Lake.

"The water that you see around the tulles, that's the habitat for the mosquitoes," said park visitor, Denise Biegeman.

County Vector Control decided to thin the tulles to rid the pests from the neighborhood.

In order to do that, the lake had to be drained.

"It's awful. I'm still in shock about it! All the natural beauty that was here is gone," Biegeman said.

Biegeman says she can't believe what she's seeing.

"They've destroyed the natural barrier between human beings and the wildlife that thrives here," Biegeman said.

Biegeman says she's noticed the reduction of different types of birds from the lake since the work started, and then was told by a park employee the lake would not be refilled.

"He said so they are draining the lake but the city or county , whoever's in charge, doesn't have enough money to put the water back in again," Biegeman said.

Randy Ford with county parks and recreation says that's not true.

“We're going to count on the rainy season to put water back in the lake before we purchase water. it just wouldn't be fiscally responsible to buy it now to watch it spill over the top," Ford said.

Ford also says the larvicide used to kill the mosquitoes will now get where it needs to go to be effective, and by spring the habitat should back.

"We will have habitat again in time for migratory act when the birds come back to nest," Ford said.

Hopefully, residents around the lake will be able to spend time outside again.

So far, mosquitoes tested from the area have not carried the West Nile virus.