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Google requests permission to release 32m mosquitoes in California and Florida
(www.theguardian.com)
this post was submitted on 01 Jun 2026
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Yes, I hate mosquitoes, but they’re a pretty significant part of the ecosystem. But Google is well known for their measured and thoughtful approach, and especially long-term planning, so I’m sure it’s going to be just fine.
They are targeting the major disease carrying species, so it's not like we will be getting rid of all the pests - and their benefits - the way aerial poision spraying does.
Testing in Singapore reduced disease burden by 70-80% after the release, that's significant improvement in quality of life - I know people who contracted West Nile, it's not fun.
california doesnt seem to have an endemic mosquito borne disease problem, florida does though.
I'd amend that to say: the whole state of California isn't a mosquito infested swamp like Florida is, but there are still plenty of mosquitoes in certain parts of California.