Warmer Weather Brings Brief Spike in Sacramento Mosquito Activity

Experts say recent warmer temperatures have roused some hibernating mosquitoes, but activity should drop off again soon.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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While it's not peak mosquito season, the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito Vector Control District has reported a slight uptick in calls about mosquitoes in the area. Experts say the warmer winter weather has briefly roused some mosquitoes from hibernation, but activity is expected to drop off again as temperatures cool and rain returns to the region.

Why it matters

Mosquitoes can carry dangerous diseases, so any increase in activity, even during the off-season, is closely monitored by local vector control agencies. However, officials say the mosquitoes seen now are likely not the disease-carrying varieties that emerge in spring and summer.

The details

According to the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito Vector Control District, they've received more calls about mosquitoes in recent weeks, which they attribute to the warmer winter weather. These mosquitoes have been hibernating and the warmer temperatures have briefly roused them from their dormancy. However, officials say these are not the types of mosquitoes that typically carry diseases, and activity is expected to drop off again as the weather cools and rain returns.

  • In recent weeks, the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito Vector Control District has seen a slight uptick in calls about mosquitoes.
  • With a chance of rain next week, mosquito activity is expected to drop off again.

The players

Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito Vector Control District

The local agency responsible for monitoring and controlling mosquito populations in the Sacramento area.

Luz Maria Robles

A spokesperson for the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito Vector Control District.

Brandon Thompson

A West Sacramento resident who has noticed some mosquitoes during his winter walks.

Nala Thompson

Brandon Thompson's white dog, who helps him spot mosquitoes.

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What they’re saying

“These are mosquitoes that have been hibernating during the winter, and the warmer weather has definitely gotten them out of their hibernation.”

— Luz Maria Robles, Spokesperson, Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito Vector Control District (cbsnews.com)

“As people are spending more time outdoors, it's sunny. People are definitely taking notice of them.”

— Luz Maria Robles, Spokesperson, Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito Vector Control District (cbsnews.com)

“You see them flying around, and they're easy to spot on my white dog. I just swat them, but yeah, I don't go out in the summer.”

— Brandon Thompson (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

With a chance of rain next week, mosquito activity is expected to drop off again.

The takeaway

While a brief uptick in mosquito activity has been noticed in the Sacramento area due to warmer winter weather, officials say this is a normal occurrence and not cause for major concern. The mosquitoes seen now are unlikely to carry dangerous diseases, and activity should return to typical low winter levels as temperatures cool and rain returns to the region.