Pests and pest control in Los Angeles, CA

Pests to know in Los Angeles

• Western Drywood Termite
• Yellow Fever Mosquito
• Mosquito
• Tree and shrub pests

Why each one matters here is cited in the sections below.

Termites in Los Angeles

• Drywood termites are commonly found along California's Pacific coastal region, extending into the Central Valley and the deserts of Southern California.^[1]
• The western drywood termite is California's most common drywood termite and its second most important termite pest after the subterranean termite.^[1]

Invasive species reported here

• Two invasive mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, have been detected in 108 of the 156 cities and neighborhoods in the district's service area.^[3]
• The invasive Aedes mosquito has been found in Los Angeles County since 2011.^[3]

Pests local experts flag

• Aedes mosquitoes bite aggressively in the daytime and breed in small, easy-to-miss sources of standing water in urban yards.^[4]
• The district describes West Nile virus as endemic in Los Angeles County and keeps monitoring for it.^[4]

Climate

Central Los Angeles (ZIP 90012) is in USDA plant hardiness zone 10b, where the average coldest winter night is 35 to 40°F.^[7]

Public agencies that handle pests

The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District helps residents and businesses with mosquitoes, black flies, and midges.^[2]

Hiring a licensed company

In California, applying pesticides to or immediately around structures for hire requires a Structural Pest Control license from the Structural Pest Control Board.^[6]

Licensing agency: California Environmental Protection Agency — Department of Pesticide Regulation^[8].

See also how to check a pest control license.

Free local help

UC Cooperative Extension Los Angeles County shares research-based information on nutrition, youth development, urban gardening, horticulture and the environment, and urges residents to check citrus trees for Asian citrus psyllids.^[5]

Through the year

Summer to Fall

Drywood termites are most often seen as winged swarmers flying in the daytime during summer and fall.^[1]

Sources

1. UC Statewide IPM Program (UC ANR), “Pest Notes: Drywood Termites.” ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7440.html (accessed 2026-10-06)
2. Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District, “Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District.” www.glamosquito.org/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
3. Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District, “New Mascot Unveiled to Increase Public Awareness about Invasive Mosquitoes.” glacvcd.specialdistrict.org/new-mascot-unveiled-to-increase-public-awareness-about-invasive-mosquitoes (accessed 2026-10-06)
4. Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District, “Mosquito Awareness Week Prompts Residents to Take Action for a Bite-Free Season.” glacvcd.specialdistrict.org/2025-04-14-mosquito-awareness-week-prompts-residents-to-take-action-for-a-bite-free-season (accessed 2026-10-06)
5. UC Cooperative Extension, Los Angeles County, “UC Cooperative Extension Los Angeles County.” celosangeles.ucanr.edu/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
6. UC Statewide IPM Program (UC ANR), “Which California pest control or applicator license do I need?.” web.archive.org/web/20260421162910/ipm.ucanr.edu/highlights/2022/which_california_pest_control_or_applicator_license_do_i_need/ (accessed 2026-10-06)
7. USDA ARS and PRISM, via phzmapi.org, “Plant hardiness zone for ZIP 90012 (2023 USDA map data).” phzmapi.org/90012.json (accessed 2026-10-06)
8. National Pesticide Information Center, “State Pesticide Regulatory Agencies.” npic.orst.edu/reg/state_agencies.html (accessed 2026-10-06)