El Segundo Residents Struggle with Mosquito Infestation
Residents in El Segundo, California, have been dealing with a significant mosquito problem for weeks now. The situation has become frustrating for many, including Samantha Hedding, who mentioned she’s spent nearly $1,000 on various mosquito repellents—everything from special lights to citronella products—but with little success.
“We’ve put towels under all our doors; one neighbor even taped her front door shut. We’re really unsure how they’re getting inside,” Hedding expressed. “It’s been over a month since we could open our windows. The weather is beautiful outside, and we can’t enjoy it at all. It’s just miserable for us.”
Richard Johnson, who lives near Hedding, echoed her sentiments about the battle with mosquitoes. He described how his wife has resorted to wearing long-sleeve nightgowns just to avoid bites while sleeping, though her hands still get attacked. “Some nights, she has trouble sleeping because of them,” he added.
In hopes of finding a solution, Johnson called Vector Control for help. They inspected his property but found no standing water, which is often where mosquitoes breed. “They checked around and told me there was no standing water here or anywhere nearby. So, I’m left wondering, where are these mosquitoes coming from?”
El Segundo’s Mayor Chris Pimentel noted that the city first recognized the surge in mosquitoes around mid-December. However, pinpointing the exact sources has proven challenging. He mentioned that despite some progress, the area near the Hyperion Water Treatment Plant continues to see heavy mosquito activity.
“The plant deals with an enormous volume of water daily, so you can imagine there are plenty of potential breeding spots,” Pimentel explained. “We’ve worked on draining and treating areas where we can.”
Despite the ongoing efforts, Pimentel, who also lives in a mosquito-infested part of the city, confirmed that after several tests, there have been no indications of mosquito-borne diseases. While acknowledging that this is positive news, he recognized that it’s a small consolation for residents suffering from frequent bites.
