Rain helps mosquitoes breed because it creates more pools of standing water for breeding. But in LA, irrigation is a bigger problem because it creates standing water even in the dry season.
In most of the country, rain is the main cause of mosquito problems. A wet week will fill up every low spot, and then the mosquito eggs hatch. But in Los Angeles, it works differently, and in some ways, a little worse.
LA is semi-arid, dry for much of the year, and yet the mosquitoes never really stop. The reason is irrigation. The very same sprinklers and soaker hoses that water our gardens and landscaping create runoff. That’s enough to put breeding water across the area twelve months a year, no help from the sky needed.
When the rainy season does arrive, it comes in winter. That only adds to the load. Rain then refills containers, fills low spots, and runs through storm channels. So it’s rain one week, mosquitoes the next.
It also doesn’t help that LA has a problem with the invasive Aedes species of mosquitoes. They can breed in tiny amounts of water, as little as a bottle cap. LA is dry, but it’s not that dry.
The practical takeaway for you is that you don’t have to wait for rain to think about mosquitoes in LA. Irrigation takes care of them just fine. What you can do is manage the water you add to your own property and make sure you don’t overwater. If you have small containers like plant saucers outside, you can dump or drain them to make sure they don’t become a source of a problem later on.
If you're tired of a mosquito problem that doesn't follow the rain, Mosquito Squad of Los Angeles can help. Mosquito Squad applies a barrier treatment suited to LA's year-round pattern, helping protect your yard with up to 90% reduction in mosquito activity on a recurring 21-day cycle.
