If there were a most wanted bug poster, the Asian Tiger Mosquito would certainly be on it.
The pest was most recently found in the San Gabriel Valley, in Southern California.
"We can't prevent it from reaching us, that's up to the Southern California folks so we have to start looking for it here and be prepared" said Russ Parman with the Santa Clara County Vector Control District.
"If it is not eradicated in Southern California then we can expect it to hopscotch all over the state in cars and trucks," said Parman.
The mosquito is a threat beause it can transmit potentially deadly Dengue fever and another virus called Chikengunya which can cause a rash and severe bone pain.
Unlike most mosquitoes which feed at dusk and dawn te Asian Tiger Mosquito feeds all day long. The mosquitoes can also breed in just a tiny amount of water, enough to fill a bottle cap, so they can find lots of places to reproduce.
"So it becomes difficut to treat because it is so widespread. It really is a game changer," said Parman.
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The Vector Control District is now trying to let the public know about the Asian Tiger Mosquito and what it looks like, hoping people will alert them if they see the pest so the district can get a head start on contolling the potentially disease carrying mosquito.
