“Don’t give mosquitoes a head start,” Daniel Wheeler from Wheeler’s Pest Control said.

The storms that created havoc and destruction in the Temecula-Murrieta area over the past week with flooding rain were supposed to slow a surge in mosquito activity as unusually wet weather brought out the pesky bugs from hibernation.

But the increase in reported mosquito activity continued into the first week of February, even as the storms drenched the region with cold rain.

And those tasked with monitoring mosquito activity are warning residents to drain any potential mosquito breeding grounds before warmer, drier weather returns to Southern California.

The Riverside Mosquito and Vector Control District in January 2024 received 142 requests for service as residents reported mosquito activity. The year before In January 2023, the district only received 20 service requests in January, said Daniel Wheeler, Wheeler’s Pest Control spokeswoman.

He said the weather played a significant role in the mosquito activity increase, since Southern California experienced record precipitation during the winter season last year. That kept mosquitoes relatively dormant and people indoors to avoid the cold weather.

Warmer winter weather this year, before the powerful storms moved into Southern California last week, brought mosquitoes out of hibernation.

The bugs came out behaving “very aggressive” and biting people, the Wheeler’s spokeswoman said.

“They were looking for that first blood meal to kick off the season,” Daniel said. 

“This is a typical trend that we see every year when we get a few days of sunny and warm weather

Wheeler’s crews have been looking for and inspecting areas where these mosquitoes can breed. Daniel said was hopeful forecast rain would slow the winter’s mosquito surge.

Daniel urged residents to “drain after the rain” any pools of water that can become potential breeding grounds before warm weather returns and the mosquito season kicks into full swing.

“Don’t give mosquitoes a head start,” Daniel Wheeler said.

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A female mosquito can travel many miles from where it develops to where it chooses to overwinter, according to Daniel Wheeler. When daytime temperatures increase into the 60s, these mosquitoes awaken and look to bite to prepare to lay eggs later in the spring.

Daniel warned mosquitoes can try to get into homes, so he urged residents to check door sweeps, holes in window screens and door screens and keep doors closed as much as possible.

“These mosquitoes are aggressive biters and hungry for a blood meal after overwintering,”.

For Mosquito problems call Wheeler’s Pest Control at 951-681-2847