With longer, hotter summers and shifting weather patterns, mosquito season is starting earlier and spreading to new areas across Southern California. This year, experts are urging families to act now to reduce the risk of West Nile virus, dengue, Zika, and other mosquito-borne illnesses.

Dr. Desiree LaBeaud, pediatric infectious disease expert at Stanford, says rising temperatures help Aedes aegypti, a mosquito once limited to tropical regions, thrive in California's urban areas. Just one tablespoon of water—in flowerpots, pet dishes, or drains—can become a breeding ground.

Protect Your Family:

✔️ Drain standing water weekly
✔️ Use EPA-approved insect repellent with 20–30% DEET
✔️ Wear long sleeves and pants, especially outdoors at dawn/dusk
✔️ Report dead birds or mosquito activity to CCMAD
✔️ Watch for symptoms like fever, rash, or joint pain after mosquito bites

Both day-biting and night-biting mosquitoes are active in the region. Some carry diseases; others simply bring misery with painful, itchy bites.

Learn more at comptoncreekmad.org and check repellent safety at epa.gov/insect-repellents.