Mosquitoes are able to breed in very small containers about the size of a bottle cap of water, and they often bite people within a few feet of their hatching sites. Common containers in Los Angeles include plant saucers, bromeliad cups, umbrella base wells, furniture cover folds, drink cups, fountain bases, pet bowls, and pockets of water in corrugated downspout extensions.
Aedes mosquitoes are a big problem in Los Angeles. They can breed in extremely small containers, which is part of why they’re so annoying when you’re just trying to enjoy time on your patio. Knowing how they breed can help you figure out where they’re coming from and what to do about it.
Plant saucers are a common source of trouble. Every potted plant on a patio sits in one and irrigation often refills them several times per week. Bromeliads also tend to cause trouble here because they hold water in the cup of their leaves around the stem and mosquitoes are more than comfortable taking advantage of this. Even patio furniture itself can cause trouble, especially umbrella bases and furniture covers when they sag and collect water.
Other common containers include fountains and water features when not circulating, as well as pet bowls. Clogged patio drains or gutters can also cause a lot of trouble, and that includes the corrugated downspouts with ridges that never fully dry.
Aedes mosquitoes are well established across LA County. They’re also aggressive daytime biters that stay close to the home. So it’s worth looking for the containers where they’re breeding even if they're very small. Be sure to pour out containers once per week and scrub the sides to remove the eggs they lay there.
If mosquitoes are breeding on your patio, Mosquito Squad of Los Angeles can help. Mosquito Squad treats the shaded areas where mosquitoes rest and points out the breeding sites on your property. This will help you protect your yard with up to 90% reduction in mosquito activity on a recurring 21-day cycle.
