Giant Inflatable Mosquito Comes to Orange County

From the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District: There is a new giant inflatable mosquito in town. The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD) is introducing a giant black-and-white inflatable mosquito, depicting the two recently established invasive species of mosquitoes, for National Mosquito Control Awareness Week (June 25 - July 1), to raise awareness and educate residents about the threats mosquitoes pose in Orange County, and throughout the nation. The 13-foot mosquito will be displayed for the first time in public on Friday, June 30th at 4 PM on Historic Main Street (12891 Main St.) in the city of Garden Grove.

"This giant inflatable mosquito is a fun way to educate Orange County residents about a not-so-fun fact: we now have these aggressive day-biting invasive mosquitoes that can make people sick and will change our quality of life in Orange County,” said Mary-Joy Coburn, Public Affairs Coordinator. "When a member of the public enters the booth, they learn facts about mosquitoes, how to eliminate breeding sources, and how to protect themselves from mosquito bites and mosquito-borne illnesses."

Meet Mrs. Mosquito!

• Friday, June 30th
• 4PM - 8PM
• Historic Main Street
• 12891 Main St., Garden Grove 92840

The Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are invasive mosquito species established in Orange County in 2015. They can transmit debilitating dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika viruses. They can also transmit encephalitis-causing viruses and canine heartworm, which increases the health risk to pets. While these viruses are not currently being transmitted locally in Orange County, local transmission could begin if someone infected abroad returns to Orange County and is bitten by the invasive mosquito. These mosquitoes have been detected in Anaheim, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, La Habra, Lake Forest, Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Orange, and Santa Ana. These mosquitoes have been detected in Anaheim, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, La Habra, Lake Forest, Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Orange, and Santa Ana. To see if your home or office is in an infested area click here.

In addition to learning about mosquitoes, residents also have the opportunity to speak to Vector Control professionals and be entered to win prizes throughout the event.

The inflatable mosquito will be part of the Garden Grove Classic Car Show, the longest running car show in Orange County. This family event features classic cars, antique cars, and custom coupes, and plenty of prize drawings for attendees

Orange County residents can do a variety of things to help protect themselves and the community, and to help reduce the risk from mosquitoes this season:

• Eliminate standing water around the home or office
• Make sure all window and door screens on the property are in good repair
• Request free mosquitofish from the District for placement in ornamental ponds
• Wear a repellent containing DEET®, Picaridin, IR 3535, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus
• Contact the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District to report dead birds or neglected swimming pools

Residents are encouraged to sign-up for District email notification, follow OCMVCD on social media, and visit the website for the most current West Nile virus information.

• (714) 971-2421 or (949) 654-2421
• visit www.ocvector.org
• Facebook
• Twitter

Click here to see this event on the Patch Calendar.

Image via the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District