LANCASTER, Calif. - It’s bug season and contrary to what some may think, the Antelope Valley is not being invaded by giant mosquitoes.

Overgrown mosquitoes they’re not. In fact, these bugs aren’t even interested in you.

"They’re called crane flies. Some people also call them mosquito hawks and believe that they actually eat mosquitoes, but that’s a myth. They actually don’t feed at all as adults, and they come from the ground - from the dirt," says Karen Mellor, entomologist and operations supervisor at Antelope Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District.

Unlike mosquitoes, crane flies don’t hang out around water, carry disease, bite or even live long.  So what do they do?

“They just mate and lay eggs and wait for the next generation to come," said Mellor. 

Many get eaten by birds.

Experts say there are many myths surrounding the mosquito. One of them has to do with your backyard bug zapper.

“The mosquitoes are so small that they usually come towards the light, but then a lot of times will fly through the trap without getting killed.  And so then you’re basically pulling in all these mosquitoes from the area with that light, but not killing them. Then you’re ending up with all these mosquitoes by your house,” said Mellor. 

Antelope Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District – the expert group whose mission it is to manage mosquitoes – also has a specific warning about a specific mosquito.

“On top of this, we have the invasive Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that are coming into California. The difference with those is they bite during the day, so if people have mosquitoes that bite them during the day, make sure to call us," said Mellow.  

That’s because that mosquito has the potential to transmit disease, including Zika and yellow fever -- though they haven’t found it in this part of Los Angeles County.  To combat mosquitoes of all makes, the district also raises tiny fish that happen to love the taste of mosquitos.  When the district has enough, the fish are free for residents to put in places like horse troughs.

If you get bit by a mosquito during the day or have any other questions, Antelope Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District wants you to contact them at 661-942-2917.

There’s more information on their Facebook page and at AVmosquito.org.