Irked residents across Southern California have recently complained to their vector control districts about an onslaught of mosquito activity, many sporting ankle bites to prove it. Local mosquito experts blame the unseasonable weather pattern and a thriving invasive species for the surge in itchy bites.<\/p>\n
Vector control districts in Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties have confirmed a significant increase in mosquito activity, which is highly unusual for this time of the year. <\/p>\n
Southern California\u2019s mosquito season typically begins in early May, with the insect\u2019s activity tapering off around October. But local officials say the season is getting longer as temperatures stay warmer further into the year. <\/p>\n
Between January and February, Orange County saw \u201cfive times as many mosquitoes here over the five-year average,\u201d said Brian Brannon, public information officer for Orange County\u2019s Vector Control District.<\/p>\n
Some counties have noticed the major increase through their mosquito traps or from calls for service regarding the flying pests. All three counties have gotten more than 50 calls for service when they\u2019ll receive anywhere between five and 10 in a typical year. <\/p>\n
Local experts break down what\u2019s causing the flurry of biting insects in the winter.<\/p>\n
The perfect storm for mosquito breeding<\/p>\n
Mosquitoes need standing water to lay their eggs. Major rainfall in December and early February created ideal breeding conditions, said Susanne Kluh, general manager for the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District.<\/p>\n
A mosquito\u2019s early life cycle primarily occurs in water until it becomes an adult and can fly away. The entire life cycle commonly lasts up to two weeks. However, weather conditions can shorten the process to four days or prolong it for as long as a month, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.<\/a> <\/p>\n Unseasonably hot temperatures in January in between rainstorms accelerated the life cycle of mosquitoes in the region and led to an increase in mosquito activity, Kluh said. <\/p>\n \u201cAfter the rains late last year and then the warm temperatures, [the mosquitoes] were out and about,\u201d Kluh said. \u201cWe found them breeding in people\u2019s backyards, and that didn\u2019t happen in prior years, not to this extent.\u201d<\/p>\n This isn\u2019t the first time unusual weather has spawned a mosquito horde in the region during what should be the insect\u2019s offseason. <\/p>\n