Khaberni - Residents of Southern California are facing a wave of black biting flies this spring, attacking people and pets in the foothills of the San Gabriel Valley, causing a red, itchy rash.
These insects, classified as a type of common black fly in river areas, are appearing in unusually large numbers for this season, which has caused concern among local residents in communities like Azusa, Altadena, Glendora, and San Dimas.
Anais Medina Diaz, the Communications Director at the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District, told KTLA: "This is a very small fly, smaller than a mosquito, and it usually breeds in running water". She added that the number of flies has increased to the hundreds much earlier than usual, compared to the same period last year, but reassured residents that the black fly is annoying but does not transmit diseases.
The fly thrives in fast-moving waters like the San Gabriel River, where the environments are ideal for larval growth before the emergence of the adult flies and their spread into the neighboring communities. The unusually warm winter weather and early snowmelt created conditions perfect for the flies to breed more rapidly than usual.
Residents report experiencing frequent bites throughout the day, and some have suffered allergic reactions after prolonged exposure to these insects. The fly bites also leave large, itchy skin marks, even when wearing protective clothing or using insect repellent.
Experts advise taking several precautionary measures when outdoors, including using insect repellents containing DEET, wearing loose-fitting light-colored clothing, and avoiding peak insect activity times such as sunrise and late afternoon.
Vector control officials also warned about monitoring water features in homes, such as fountains and small streams, as these waters can become breeding sites for flies, thereby increasing their local numbers.
