Mosquitoes here in Los Angeles are a nuisance, not only during California’s hot, dry summers but throughout most of the year. If you’re looking to ditch the itch and protect yourself and your family from mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus, follow these tips on how to get rid of mosquitoes in your Los Angeles yard and home.
How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes Outdoors in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has consistently landed near the top of Orkin’s list of top 50 mosquito cities. With this ranking, you can safely bet mosquitoes are a huge problem here in the City of Angels. The best way to protect yourself from a swarm of bloodsuckers is to eliminate breeding areas, control existing mosquitoes, and avoid getting bitten.
Eliminate Breeding Areas
- Remove standing water from flower pots, plant saucers, buckets, and garbage cans.
- Keep lids on containers securely fastened, and make sure the containers have drainage holes so they do not collect water.
- Cover water storage containers, like buckets and rain barrels.
- Clean gutters regularly so they don’t accumulate debris and standing water.
- Attach mesh screens to cisterns and water tanks so that mosquitoes can’t get inside to lay eggs.
- Regularly empty and clean kiddie pools, bird baths, and pet water bowls.
- Keep pools and hot tubs covered and clean. Make sure the pool covers don’t accumulate puddles of water. Use chlorine in your pools to make them uninhabitable for mosquito larvae.
- Do not overwater your lawn to prevent water from accumulating.
- Regularly mow and trim tall grass and shrubs so mosquitoes cannot rest in the vegetation.
Control Existing Mosquitoes
- Spraying and fogging your yard or dark, humid places like under furniture or in garages with a fine mist of insecticide can help control the mosquito population. Keep in mind this solution will kill beneficial insects as well.
- Larvicides can kill mosquito larvae in standing water by preventing them from developing into adult mosquitoes. You can find larvicides or mosquito dunks at your local garden center.
- Mosquitofish are a type of fish that prey on mosquito larvae. If you own an ornamental pond, fountain, or large bird bath, you can buy mosquitofish and introduce them to your garden.
- Professional mosquito control experts can offer long-term solutions to reduce the number of mosquitoes in your lawn with EPA-approved pesticides and specialized equipment. If you want to keep your mosquito problem monitored regularly, some of the best mosquito control companies even offer regular, recurring visits.
Prevent Mosquito Bites
Photo Credit: Seney Natural History Association / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0
- Use an EPA-approved insect repellent spray. Sprays that contain DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), or IR3535 provide the best results.
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and light-colored clothing.
- Keep your pets safe by keeping them indoors by applying pet-safe insect repellent or mosquito-repelling pet collars. Mosquito bites can put your pets at risk of heartworms.
- Mosquito netting creates a barrier against mosquitoes. You can place one around your bed or around your tent if you plan on going camping.
How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes in the House in Los Angeles
Mosquitoes aren’t just outdoor pests. They can bug you inside your home as well.
- Use screens on windows, doors, vents, and chimneys.
- Do not leave doors propped open, especially after dusk when mosquito activity increases.
- Use insect surface sprays inside the house.
- Use air conditioning or fans whenever possible. Mosquitoes do not like areas with plenty of airflow. A mosquito in flight can be thrown by winds greater than 10 mph.
- Treat all drains so they don’t accumulate water.
- Place mosquito-repellent plants like marigold, lemongrass, mint, citronella, and catnip inside your home to keep mosquitoes and other pests away. Although plants themselves don’t repel mosquitoes, the leaves contain essential oils that mosquitoes avoid.
- Mosquito traps can be found in garden stores, or you can create a simple DIY mosquito trap with materials at home.
When is Mosquito Season in Los Angeles?
Peak mosquito season for Los Angeles begins somewhere in June and lasts until November. Hot weather is when mosquitoes are most active, and the risk of diseases like West Nile virus and Zika virus are higher.
When temperatures start to drop, mosquitoes will search for warm places, hibernating in enclosed spaces (like inside your home, garage, or crawlspace) to survive cold temperatures. You should still cover any outdoor containers that collect water, as some mosquitoes in California can still breed during the winter.
Mosquito Control Resources in Los Angeles
If you’re struggling to control the mosquito population invading your yard, there are local Los Angeles resources you can rely on. The LA County Department of Public Health has several services for Los Angeles residents who are suffering through mosquito season.
These services include:
- Mosquito reporting page: By going to the Acute Communicable Disease Control Mosquito Reporting page, Los Angeles residents can find contact information to report problems in their neighborhood, like day-biting mosquitoes or water accumulation.
- Educational material: The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health provides multiple links with information on how to protect yourself and your family from threats caused by mosquito bites. This includes apps, podcasts, videos, and references.
The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District provides mosquito control services to residents of the District. These services include:
- Property inspections
- Identifying potential breeding locations
- Guidance for long-term control
- Mosquito control
How Much Does Mosquito Control Cost?
The national average cost of professional mosquito control is around $450, but the average price for Los Angeles residents averages somewhere between $350 – $380. The amount you’ll end up paying is determined by multiple factors, such as:
- Property size
- Frequency of visits
- Treatment methods
- Size of the infestation
Because of this, don’t be surprised if the cost of your mosquito control can range anywhere from $80 – $1,600.
FAQ: Mosquitoes in Los Angeles
What Kind of Mosquitoes are in California?
Over 50 of the world’s 2,500 species of mosquitoes can be found in California. A few of the most common species you can find include:
- Southern house mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus)
- Yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti)
- Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus)
How Do I Stop Mosquito Bites From Itching?
The answer may surprise you, but if you dab a little mixture of baking soda and water over the bite, it will provide instant relief from the itching. Baking soda works by reducing the inflammation and itch response caused by the insect saliva. Plus, this method is cheaper and faster than picking up an over the counter cream or ointment.
How Do I Know if I Have West Nile Virus?
The time between being bitten by a mosquito and visible symptoms can be between 5 – 15 days. The symptoms of West Nile virus include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Body aches
- Nausea
- Rash
- Swollen lymph nodes
If you start to notice any of these symptoms a few days after a mosquito bite, contact your doctor immediately. These symptoms can last several weeks and even months.
Severe cases of West Nile virus can cause those suffering to have a stiff neck, tremors, paralysis, disorientation, and even a coma, resulting in death, which is why you should not hesitate to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
When to Call a Pro
If you don’t have the time or the confidence to control your mosquito problems on your own, then you need a reliable and efficient pest control pro! Connect with local Los Angeles mosquito control pros. Their specialized equipment and treatments will make your home a bite-free zone that you can enjoy.
Main Image Credits:
Mosquito: GordZam / Canva Pro / License
Background: Pixabay
