Short Bites Monthly
Public Health Mosquito Control for October 2026.
Short Bites Monthly newsletter shares insight into mosquito control efforts at SGV Mosquito. This ensures that our data as a public health agency remains transparent to the public and to people who are interested in our mission of protecting public health from mosquito-borne diseases.
Mosquito Control in October
This month, temperatures have finally begun to cool down as we settle into the middle of fall. With sporadic rainfall expected throughout the San Gabriel Valley, it’s important to inspect your property for potential mosquito breeding sources at least once a week. A quick inspection in and around your home can significantly reduce mosquito activity, helping keep you and your family bite-free!
Need help with mosquitoes around your property? Request a free property consultation or submit a tip today!
Your friendly neighbordhood mosquito and vector control team engaged with the community across 14 outreach events this month! Through classroom programs, public presentations, and local gatherings, we provided essential mosquito safety information to over 4,000 residents in person throughout the San Gabriel Valley.
In this issue of Short Bites Monthly, we feature a recap of our sterile insect technique program, SGV Mosquito Match, and our fall community science programs, Operation Mosquito G.R.I.D. and Vector Inspector Program.
Let’s get the buzz on October.
Public Health Education in Action
This month, we shared key tips on preventing mosquito bites, selecting the right repellent, introducing who we are, and what we do as your local public health agency.
Mosquito Abundance Report
Mosquito Activity Report
Mosquitoes Species Report
SGV Mosquito Match - A Year In Review
SGV Mosquito Match brought innovative mosquito control into the spotlight! Since launching in Bassett, SGV Mosquito's use of sterile male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes made headlines, helping raise awareness about this targeted approach to reducing invasive mosquito populations and protecting public health.
SGV Mosquito Match was featured by Climate Central, an independent organization of scientists and researchers highlighting the impacts of climate change on people’s lives. Our feature was published and streamed by national and international outlets. The feature examined how changing climate conditions can extend mosquito activity and increase the need for innovative mosquito control strategies.
View it here: Climate Central: As Climate Change Extends Mosquito Season, Scientists Fight Back With More Mosquitoes
Other Media Coverage:
- 25 acres: The designated Bassett release area.
- 16 weeks: The release period, from July through October 2026.
- More than 30,000: Male mosquitoes released each week.
- Approximately 460,000: Total male mosquitoes released throughout the program.
Together, this coverage is helping introduce more people to SGV Mosquito Match and the science shaping the future of mosquito control in the San Gabriel Valley..
Eaton Area Mosquito Control Response
SGV Mosquito identified 1,475 non-functioning swimming pools damaged by the Eaton Fire. These pools became high-risk breeding grounds; a single pool can produce up to 3 million adult mosquitoes in just one month, posing a significant public health threat through the potential spread of diseases like West Nile virus and Dengue.
Through monitoring, treatment, and aid from its partners, SGV Mosquito has significantly reduced mosquito-borne disease risk.
Learn more on how we support the Eaton Area
The number of high-risk sites has been reduced to 889 active pools currently under supervision. Pools from the list have either been permanently removed or deemed safe, meeting the criteria for being clean, functional, or no longer a threat to the community.
Currently there are 889 pools being managed.
- 250 pools are empty and dry.
- 47 pools are maintained with larvicide treatment.
- In 590 of the Eaton Fire-affected pools, we have introduced 17,000 mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis).
- These fish provide a natural, long-term solution by eating mosquito larvae before they can reach adulthood.
Fall Community Science Programs Wrap Up!
Our fall community science programs are wrapping up another successful semester! We had over 1,000 students participate in our hands-on programs: Vector Inspector Program (V.I.P.) and Operation Mosquito G.R.I.D.
Students in both programs submitted backyard water samples for analysis. Using microscopes, our education specialists inspected each sample and sent feedback directly to the students. This project empowers students to understand mosquito breeding while providing vital data that helps our district manage mosquito populations and protect local neighborhoods.
If you're interested in any of these programs, sign-ups will resume next fall. However, this spring, you can sign up your classroom for the Mosquito Intelligence Academy! These NGSS-aligned, K–12 programs teach students about mosquitoes, source reduction, and bite prevention through in-person presentations and fun, interactive activities.
Resources to Share
Before jetting off to your next destination, remember to take the necessary steps to ensure a mosquito bite-free vacation.
It’s not the brand, but the ingredient inside mosquito repellent that actually works.
Hint: there are only 4 ingredients that repel mosquitoes.
For more information, please visit our website.
District Mission: Providing the highest level of protection from vectors & vector-borne diseases in San Gabriel Valley.
🖋 Written & Edited by Derek Garcia.