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City announces sterile-male mosquito release in McVicar Canyon as part of SIT pilot
Summary
Councilmembers said the Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control District will release thousands of sterile male mosquitoes in McVicar Canyon to test a sterile-insect technique (SIT) intended to reduce populations. Officials emphasized male mosquitoes do not bite and directed residents to the district website for details.
Councilmembers on July 10 notified residents that the Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control District plans a release of sterile male mosquitoes in McVicar Canyon as part of a sterile-insect technique (SIT) pilot.
Mayor Gerald Tisdale, who represents the city on the district board, said the district will release thousands of sterilized male mosquitoes and urged residents that male mosquitoes do not bite. The mayor described the SIT approach: released sterile males mate with wild females, reducing reproductive success and lowering local mosquito populations over time. He said the district chose McVicar Canyon to measure results in a contained valley environment.
Tisdale directed residents seeking more information to the Northwest Mosquito and Vector Control District website and reaffirmed that the released insects are male and therefore do not bite. No city action was required; the announcement was informational and came during council comments.
