Mosquito Abatement

Press Release

Mosquitoes are Still a Problem!

Mosquitoes are the most dangerous creature in the world. They kill over one million people worldwide each year because they can transmit debilitating, or sometimes deadly viruses like Malaria, West Nile virus, and dengue with just a bite. All Los Angeles County residents play an essential role in protecting their community. Mosquito control is a shared responsibility; residents can take simple steps to reduce them in their neighborhood. Here’s how to reduce the risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases and prevent mosquito breeding in and around your home.

Mosquitoes love the summer just as much as we do. Throughout the County, residents are now dealing with two different types of mosquitoes - our native Culex mosquito and the invasive Aedes mosquito. While our native mosquito can transmit West Nile virus, the invasive Aedes mosquito is an aggressive, daytime biter constantly infesting new neighborhoods by finding sources as small as a spoonful of water and leaving eggs that can be viable for years. 

Only female mosquitoes bite because they use the protein in our blood to develop eggs. Each female mosquito can lay hundreds of eggs in stagnant water inside and outside your home, and those eggs can hatch and develop into adults in as little as five days. Yikes!

Do-It-Yourself Solutions 

Mosquitoes can lay eggs in the smallest places – even a bottle cap! The best method to reduce breeding on your property is to limit the number of potential sources. Inspect around and inside your home for potential breeding sources. If standing water is found, remove the source. If the source cannot be removed, check weekly for standing water to prevent mosquito breeding. Remember to look for mosquito sources every week and after rain events. Download the DIY checklist by visiting bit.ly/diy-mosquito-solutions. 

Harvest Water, Not Mosquitoes

If residents need to store water in rain barrels, buckets, or other similar containers for longer than a week, these steps should be taken to ensure they are mosquito-proof:

• Cover all water-filled containers with tightly fitted lids.
• Screen all openings (overflows, gaps in the lid), including roof and floor gutters, with a 1/16-inch fine mesh to keep mosquitoes out.
• Use collected water right away and empty rain barrels completely between rain events.
• Use mosquito bits if you must keep stagnant water for over five days.
• Learn more by going to bit.ly/Rain-Barrel-Upkeep. 

Repel, Don’t Swell

Remember to wear insect repellent to protect your health. The CDC recommends using repellents with active ingredients such as DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. It is extremely important to wear insect repellent when you travel abroad as well, especially when visiting subtropical and tropical regions. Visit bit.ly/repellent-information for more information.

Join Mosquito Watch 

Mosquito Watch is a neighborhood program designed to protect your community from mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases. With guidance from mosquito experts and your leadership, you can help motivate your neighbors to act and reduce mosquito breeding and disease transmission in your neighborhood. Visit bit.ly/Mosquito-Watch for additional information.  

Residents can also contact the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District at www.glamosquito.org for additional mosquito-related questions and resources. Follow @GLAmosquito on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.