Dump out standing water after rain to prevent mosquitos from gaining ground in the hi-desert

Rain isn’t novel in the hi-desert but the flying nuisance that breeds in the standing water leftover from a rainstorm is a relatively new problem in Southern California. Mosquitos have made their way down south in the last decade and in the hi-desert during monsoon season, “ankle biters” can start to appear seemingly out of nowhere. The aedes variety of mosquitos can be aggressive when it comes to bites, and they don’t even give you the courtesy of waiting until the evening to come out and attack. 

Luckily there is a very easy way for anyone to help control the mosquito population. After any amount of rain, walk around your home and dump out any standing water that has collected. Mosquitos can’t breed without water, and the humid days after a rainstorm can be a perfect time for them to gain a foothold. They need as little as a teaspoon of water to multiply, so things like plant saucers, chairs, plastic bags, kids toys, tarps or anything else that holds water should get dumped out after rain.

If you have been traveling in other mosquito-heavy areas, there is also the possibility of spreading disease like dengue or zika back to the local mosquitos here in Southern California and further spreading the disease. According to the California Department of Public Health, that’s pretty rare. However, they do suggest using mosquito repellent and wearing long sleeves for three weeks after returning from a mosquito-rich environment.

Hot, dry weather is a natural enemy to the airborne pest but they don’t need long to establish themselves when there is stagnant water around. If you see a spot outside of your own property that you think may be a breeding ground for pests like mosquitos or rats, you can contact San Bernardino County’s Vector Control program which will assess the situation after a service request. The Town of Yucca Valley has a vector control program as well.