Dangerous Mosquito Found in El Monte

The word is being spread in a quarter mile radius from Dodson and Tyler streets in El Monte.

An aggressive species of mosquito responsible for outbreaks of Dengue virus in Florida, Hawaii and Texas has been found in the area.

Asian Tiger Mosquitoes are aggressive biters and active during daylight hours, as well as at dusk and dawn, according to the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District.

Authorities warn the mosquito can transmit disease if it comes in contact with an infected person.

"The itch is terrible," said El Monte resident, Patricia Galloway. "It was just, unlike anything else. Nothing like I had ever had before. It was just terrible."

Galloway said she's convinced that she was bitten three times in the last week.

Now San Gabriel Valley Vector Control has placed a small trap by her home, and left just enough standing water to attract the insect. They know it will leave its mark by laying eggs on the paper inside.

Officials are also urging residents to clean out fountains, empty plant dishes, and in effect, force the mosquito into extinction.

"I don't leave puddles water, so I'm not really worried about mosquitoes, but I worry about my kids. Kids don't know any better," said Robert Galloway, an El Monte resident.

The mosquito was last seen in Southern California a decade ago. Back then experts believed it rode in on a shipment of Bamboo plants. It has also been traced to imported and recycled tires.

Eradication efforts could begin as early as Friday. Residents will get at least 24-hour notice of any fogging or other measures necessary to kill the insects.

"I think it's better that they're trying to get rid of them," said Patricia Galloway. "We don't need them here. We need them to be gotten rid of, and to take them and to just wipe them out."