The Mammoth Lakes area does have mosquitoes. However, the good news is the Mammoth Lakes Mosquito Abatement District has been monitoring and managing the mosquito population in the area since the late 1960s. Whether or not mosquitoes will be an issue largely depends on the weather. The friendly team from ASO Mammoth, your one-stop shop for high-quality hiking gear, Mammoth ski rentals, and tips for exploring Mammoth’s grandeur, suggest some steps you can take to be safe as you enjoy the best of what Mammoth Lakes has to offer.
The Mosquito Risk Is Usually Low
According to AccuWeather, there’s usually a low mosquito risk in the Mammoth Lakes area. However, there are some days and months here and there when mosquitoes are a bit more active and bountiful in the area. Yet the risk for mosquitoes has never risen to an extremely high level, according to what has been reported for the past few decades.
Temperatures Are Usually Mild in the Mammoth Area
Mosquitoes tend to like hot, humid weather. For this reason, these pests aren’t generally found in the Mammoth Lakes area in significant numbers. In fact, there have been several months throughout the past few years when no treatments at all have been planned. Mammoth Lakes has a mild climate, and there are several months of the year when temperatures are cold or chilly during certain parts of the day, especially in the mornings and evenings.
Preparing for Mosquitoes
For times when mosquitoes are around, there are some steps you can take to stay safe. Bring some mosquito repellent with you if you’ll be on the lakes for the better part of the day. It’s especially important to do this if you’ll be hiking, fishing, or camping because you’ll likely be around water or in wooded areas where there may be areas with standing water after a rainstorm. Additional steps to take if mosquitoes are present include:
• Wearing socks that cover your ankles
• Not camping near spots where there’s standing water
• Not leaving anything out overnight that can gather water if it rains
• Avoiding fishing spots where you see an abundance of trees close to the water
• Using citronella candles if you’ll be setting up camp overnight, since the scent naturally repels mosquitoes
What to Do if You’re Bitten by a Mosquito
Mosquitoes can be dangerous because they carry diseases like malaria. While the vast majority of mosquito bites won’t cause you to contract a serious illness, it never hurts to know what to do if you end up being bitten while visiting the Mammoth Lakes area. According to the CDC, the following steps should be taken if you do sustain a mosquito bite:
• Wash the affected area with mild soap and water
• Apply ice to the area—you can use an ice pack or cooling gel—for about 10–15 minutes at a time
• Mix some baking soda and water and apply it to the affected area to minimize itching
• If necessary, apply anti-itch cream
If you’re looking to explore the natural beauty of Mammoth Lakes, follow these simple tips so mosquitoes won’t take a bite out of the fun. Whether you hike or prefer to enjoy the scenery on two wheels, you can find everything you need at ASO Mammoth, the area’s top provider of mountain bike, snowboard, and snowboard rentals. Mammoth visitors can rely on us for high-quality equipment and outstanding service. Stop by when you get to the mountain or give us a call at 760-965-3444 for more information.