The SGV Mosquito Match program is a new way the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District is exploring to reduce the number of invasive Aedes mosquitoes. These mosquitoes can spread diseases like dengue, Zika, and yellow fever.

This method is called the Sterile Insect Technique (S.I.T.). It works by releasing  male mosquitoes that have been sterilized using Wolbachia bacteria and cannot produce offspring. Male mosquitoes do not bite and do not carry diseases. When they mate with female mosquitoes in the area, the eggs will not hatch. This helps reduce the mosquito population over time and lowers the risk of disease.

This method is also environmentally friendly and helps us use fewer pesticides.

First Community Launch: Bassett, CA -- Summer 2026

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The first launch of the SGV Mosquito Match program will take place in Bassett, an unincorporated community in Los Angeles County. Bassett was chosen because mosquito data showed high numbers of Aedes mosquitoes and disease activity in past years. 

In Summer 2026, our team will begin releasing sterile male mosquitoes in Bassett. Releases will happen twice a week for 16 weeks. These releases are part of the District’s plan to fight mosquitoes using safe, targeted tools that protect public health.

You may see more mosquitoes flying around after releases, but remember — they are male mosquitoes. They do not bite or spread disease.

How It Works: The Wolbachia Technique

This program uses a type of bacteria called Wolbachia (wo-BAHK-ee-uh). Wolbachia is naturally found in more than 60% of insects — including butterflies, dragonflies, and moths.

How male mosquitoes with Wolbachia are grown:

• Male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are raised in a lab by a company called MosquitoMate.
• These males carry a Southern California strain of Wolbachia and are called WB1 Male mosquitoes.
• When they are released, they mate with wild female mosquitoes.
• The eggs that result from these pairings do not hatch.

This method is species-specific, meaning it only affects Aedes aegypti  mosquitoes. It does not change the genes of the mosquitoes, and it does not harm pets, people, or other insects like bees or butterflies.

What Residents Can Expect

As the SGV Mosquito Match program begins in the Bassett neighborhood, residents might notice some changes:

You may see more mosquitoes — but they won’t bite.

After each release, residents might notice more mosquitoes in the air. These are male mosquitoes only. Male mosquitoes do not bite or spread diseases.

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You’ll see more of our team in the neighborhood.

District staff will be active in the area. You might see us:

• Placing and checking traps
• Talking to residents
• Monitoring mosquito and disease activity

Our staff are only in the community for mosquito work. We are not connected or report to city, immigration, or law enforcement agencies.

Fewer mosquitoes — and fewer bites — over time.

Female mosquitoes only mate once in their life. Since the eggs won’t hatch after mating with sterile males, the population of mosquitoes — especially biting female mosquitoes — will go down.

You still need to protect yourself.

This program adds to our current mosquito control tools. You should still:

• Tip out standing water
• Toss unused containers
• Protect yourself with mosquito repellent

Look for repellents with one of these active ingredients: DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus

Find the best repellent for you! Visit the ABOUT REPELLENTS page. 

Next Steps

At this time, the Bassett community release is the only location planned for this program. 

We do not have any other San Gabriel Valley neighborhoods planned for sterile mosquito releases at this time. We are using this first launch to:

• Practice our internal process to do releases
• Find out the cost for maintaining and expanding this program. 
• Learn how well it works with other mosquito control work. 

If you want to see the SGV Mosquito Match program in your neighborhood, or if you want updates about how the program is going, you can sign up for updates using our online form.

Your interest can help us plan how we expand this program in the future. 

Sign Up for SGV Mosquito Match Updates!

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