About Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes can spread serious diseases, like West Nile Virus. Most infections are mild and produce only headache and fever. In severe cases – especially in the elderly – the virus infects the brain, causing confusion, paralysis, coma and even death. People get the disease through the bite of an infected mosquito. We can all take steps to keep mosquitoes away from where we live and keep them from biting us.
Protect Your Family From Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes lay eggs near water, so to prevent mosquitoes from infesting your yard or home, get rid of any standing water. This should be done at least once a week and any time after it rains by tipping out containers that hold water such as buckets, planters, and trash containers.
Make sure any open windows or doors have screens to keep mosquitoes out. You can also take steps to keep mosquitoes from biting you and your family, such as wearing long sleeves and using insect repellent that contains the following active ingredients:
- DEET (chemical name: N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide or N,N-diethyl-3-methyl-benzamide).
- Picaridin (KBR 3023 [Bayrepel] and icaridin outside the US; chemical name: 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperidinecarboxylic acid 1-methylpropyl ester).
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or PMD (chemical name: para-menthane-3,8-diol), the synthesized version of OLE. This recommendation refers to EPA-registered products containing the active ingredient OLE (or PMD). "Pure" oil of lemon eucalyptus (essential oil not formulated as a repellent) is not recommended; it has not undergone similar, validated testing for safety and efficacy and is not registered with EPA as an insect repellent.
- IR3535 (chemical name: 3-[N-butyl-N-acetyl]-aminopropionic acid, ethyl ester). 2-undecanone (chemical name: methyl nonyl ketone).
Prevent Mosquito Bites (English) | Prevenir Mordeduras (Español)
Prevent Infestations (English) | Prevenir Infestaciones (Español)
Report Mosquito Infestations
To report mosquito infestations or ask questions, call your local Vector Control District. You can look up contact information for your local Vector Control District.
- Antelope Valley: (661) 942-2917
- Compton Creek: (310) 933-5321
- Greater Los Angeles: (562) 944-9656
- San Gabriel Valley: (626) 814-9466
- LA County West: (310) 915-7370
- City of Pasadena: (626) 744-6005
- City of Long Beach: (562) 570-4132
- Orange County: (714) 971-2421
Climate Change and Mosquitoes
Climate change creates favorable conditions for mosquitoes, like warmer weather and bigger rainstorms. Visit our Climate Change page to learn more.