Mosquitoes and the itchy, red bites they leave behind are uncomfortable and annoying. But itching isn’t the only worry with these flying, blood-sucking insects.
Some mosquitoes can pose a health risk to you and your family. And since the peak season for mosquitoes in Los Angeles County is June through November — half the year — you should have a plan in place to protect yourself.
Here’s what you need to know about keeping your family healthy and itch-free:
Can you get sick from mosquito bites?
You’ll find more than 50 types of mosquitoes in California, and most of them are nothing more than annoying. But some carry disease — they pick it up from one host and pass it to another.
West Nile virus (WNV), which mosquitoes pick up from infected birds, is the most common mosquito-borne disease in the United States and California. It’s been detected in 58 California counties since 2004. In 2023, LA County recorded 70 human cases of WNV, leading to three deaths.
If a mosquito carrying WNV bites you, it will initially feel like any other mosquito bite. But between two and 14 days after being infected, about 20% of people will develop symptoms, including:
- Body aches
- Fever
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Vomiting and diarrhea
If you experience any of these symptoms in conjunction with a mosquito bite, reach out to your primary care physician (PCP). While rare, WNV can lead to severe illness that can affect the brain. People with chronic medical conditions and older adults are at a higher risk for severe disease.
The only other mosquito-borne illness recorded in recent years in California is St. Louis Encephalitis virus, which produces similar symptoms to WNV.
Protect yourself from mosquitoes
The best way to protect yourself from mosquito-borne diseases is to avoid mosquito bites and keep your environment relatively free from mosquitoes.
How to prevent mosquito bites
The most effective way to prevent mosquito bites is to repel them using an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent containing any of the following ingredients:
- DEET, which can repel mosquitoes for up to 12 hours
- Picaridin, which is similar to DEET but less likely to irritate the skin
- IR3535, which interrupts the sense of smell in insects
- Oil of citronella, a plant-based substance that masks scents attractive to mosquitoes
- Oil of lemon eucalyptus, a plant-based repellent that may work as well as lower concentrations of DEET
Repellents are available in sprays, wipes or lotions. But be sure to follow the instructions when applying them, especially around children. Washing your hands after applying can help ensure you don’t get the product into your eyes.
You can also protect your skin without wearing repellent:
- Cover your skin with long shirts and pants and socks and shoes.
- Use netting to cover strollers and protect young children.
- Wear clothing treated with permethrin, which kills insects and lasts through a couple of wash cycles.
How to keep mosquitoes away from your house
You can reduce your exposure to mosquitoes by taking steps to deter them from your home environment:
- Avoid standing water: After feeding, female mosquitoes lay eggs in or near standing water — and they don’t need much water to do it. Dump water regularly from planters, bird baths, swimming pool covers and trash cans. Clean out gutters so they don’t trap water. Keep up this practice all year since some mosquitoes in California can breed during winter.
- Employ mosquito-eating fish: If you have a garden pool, include fish that eat mosquito eggs and larvae. Some options include goldfish, Koi and mosquitofish (gambusia affinis).
- Use screens: To keep mosquitoes out of your home, add fine mesh screens to your doors and windows.
You can also control the mosquito population in your yard using chemical solutions, such as outdoor sprays or standing water treatments (to kill the larvae). Remember, these options rarely provide a permanent solution and can be costly. Be sure to follow the directions carefully.
Tips for treating mosquito bites
When female mosquitoes bite you — males don’t bite — they pierce the skin to suck up blood. As they feed, they inject saliva into your skin. The resulting red bump and itching are your body’s reaction to that saliva.
Everyone responds differently to bug bites. Common reactions to mosquito bites range from a small bump and itching to a large area of redness, swelling and soreness. Some bites may look more like small hard blisters or dark spots.
If a mosquito bites you, take these steps to stay safe and find relief:
- Wash the bite with soap and water as soon as you notice it.
- Ice the area to reduce redness and swelling.
- Don’t scratch, so the area doesn’t become infected. An infected bite will feel warm and look streaked with red.
- Use an over-the-counter anti-itch or antihistamine cream to relieve itching. You can make your own by mixing 1 tablespoon of baking soda with just enough water to create a paste. Apply it to the bite, wait 10 minutes and then wash it off.
