Google seeks EPA approval to release 32 million sterile mosquitoes in California and Florida

Google has asked the US Environmental Protection Agency for permission to release up to 32 million sterilized male mosquitoes in California and Florida over two years.

The request covers up to 16 million mosquitoes a year in each state. The EPA is reviewing the application for an experimental use permit and will decide after a public comment period that ends on June 5.

Google is using the releases as part of its Debug program to reduce populations of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which spread dengue, Zika, yellow fever and chikungunya. Male mosquitoes do not bite or transmit disease. The company infects the males with wolbachia bacteria, which prevents them from producing offspring with wild females.

The EPA notice shows the agency is evaluating whether the releases can proceed. Google says other methods, such as pesticide spraying, have proved toxic or less effective over time.

The approach relies on the sterile insect technique, which has been used for decades on various insects. Eric Caragata, an assistant professor at the University of Florida, told USA Today that the wolbachia method has been applied to mosquitoes for about 15 years.

Google’s parent company Alphabet has supported the work through Verily, its former health and AI subsidiary. As of December 2024, Google fully acquired the Debug program.

The company has already tested the method in Singapore, where officials reported 80 to 90 percent suppression of the Aedes aegypti population and more than 70 percent fewer dengue cases after six to 12 months of releases. Linus Upson, head of Debug, said the Singapore results give the company confidence to expand.

Google engineers use data analytics, sensors and AI-powered computer vision to rear and release the mosquitoes in precise numbers and locations.