SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Notice you’re swatting more often? The uptick in mosquitoes may be to blame on San Diego’s heat wave.
Mission Bay and Pacific Beach residents told 10News there have been more bugs with the higher temperatures.
Rachel installed a mosquito net on her porch. She needs it: she has welts up and down her legs from the bug bites.
“As the temperatures have gotten hotter the mosquito population has just gone crazy, to the point where it’s just impossible to spend a day without getting bitten,” Rachel said.
Rachel lives near Pacific Beach Drive and Olney Street, in an apartment complex bordered by a wildlife preserve. She’s trying to keep herself and her pets safe.
“I have a cat, and even though she’s vaccinated I know mosquitoes can carry a wide variety of diseases,” she said.
Chris Conlan of San Diego County vector control says it’s not unusual for a burst of heat to cause a rise in insects.
“You might see other insects too that look like mosquitoes, say midges and gnats and things like that. Sometimes the heat will get them to come off in pretty good numbers,” Conlan said.
Conlan said you should remember to remove standing water from your property and wear insect repellent. West Nile, which is spread by mosquitoes, has only been spotted in Santee so far this year.
County officials have another helicopter mosquito treatment coming in the weeks ahead. They will also treat by hand on an as-needed basis. You can contact them at (858) 694-2888 or email vector@sdcounty.ca.gov.
