DC Uses Wolbachia-Infected Male Mosquitoes to Curb Local Populations

About 600,000 Wolbachia-infected, non-biting male mosquitoes are being released across the DC area this summer to curb local populations; when they mate with wild females, the Wolbachia bacteria prevents eggs from hatching, reducing future generations. Bee Safe Mosquito Control is the first US company to offer this directly to residents, and broader interest is growing, with Alphabet seeking approval to release up to 64 million such mosquitoes in California and Florida amid rising mosquito pressures from climate change.