CBS Sacramento Dixon NewsSACRAMENTO — Sacramento is launching a new tactic to stop the spread of invasive mosquitoes that can infect people with Zika and dengue fever.
The plan, which was just approved by the Environmental Protection Agency, is to release 400,000 live mosquitoes into the environment.
"We need ways to combat these mosquitoes, which are posing a public health threat," said Luz Maria Robles with the Sacramento Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District.
The swarm will initially be released across 100 acres of Sacramento's south Natomas neighborhood, which has been the biggest breeding ground.
To ensure the mosquitoes are safe for the public, only sterile males will be used in the program.
"Male mosquitoes do not bite, so while you might see more mosquitoes than usual, we want those males to mate