Seasonal & Regional
Pest pressure in Southern California shifts with the seasons and the neighborhood. These guides track what is active, when, and where across the South Bay, Westside, and Valley.
Ahead of the Rain: Why Wet Weather Sends Rodents Looking for Higher, Drier Ground
Heavy rain floods rodent burrows and soaks outdoor nests, and rats and mice head for attics, walls and garages. Why it happens, why this winter could be different, and how to get ahead of it without sealing anything in.
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A Super El Niño Winter Is Coming: What Wetter-Than-Normal Weather Could Mean for Pests Around Your Home
This winter is forecast to bring a super El Niño to Southern California. The big-picture view of how a wetter season tends to affect ants, termites, rodents and mosquitoes, and what to do while it is still dry.
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El Niño Rains Are Coming — What to Know About Termite Swarms Before They Start
This winter is forecast to bring a super El Niño. How rain sets off subterranean termite swarms, what to look for once the storms arrive, and why the dry weeks before are the best time for an inspection.
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West LA vs. the Beach Cities: How Pest Pressure Compares Across the Service Area
Why denser West LA housing stock tends toward rodent and cockroach pressure while the Beach Cities see more termite and ant activity — and what that means for how a property should be serviced.
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Termite Swarms Are Already Showing Up in Southern California This Fall
Swarm activity is picking up early this fall. How to tell a termite swarmer from a flying ant at a glance, why swarmers indoors mean something different than swarmers outdoors, and what to do before you reach for a spray can.
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End-of-Season Wasp Nests: Why September Removal Still Matters
Wasp nests are at their largest right now, and foraging behavior gets more aggressive in early fall as natural food sources dry up. Why the "it will die off anyway" instinct does not work in coastal Southern California.
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West Nile Virus Is Spreading Faster in LA County Than It Has in 20 Years — What That Means for Your Yard
LA County is reporting far more West Nile-positive mosquito samples than its five-year average, and the first hospitalized case of the season. What the data shows, why Culex mosquitoes behave differently than the ankle-biters, and what actually protects you.
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Redondo Beach vs. Torrance vs. Manhattan Beach: How Pest Pressure Differs Across the South Bay
Why a Sand Section condo, a Hollywood Riviera bungalow, and a Torrance tract house get different pests — and how foundation type, lot density, and distance from the water predict what shows up in each.
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When Do Termites Swarm in Southern California? A Month-by-Month Guide
Drywood termites swarm on warm evenings from midsummer into fall. Subterranean termites wait for the first significant rain. A month-by-month guide to swarm season in Southern California, and what to do the day you find wings on a windowsill.
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Why Late Summer Is Peak Wasp and Yellow Jacket Season in Southern California
Wasp and yellow jacket colonies are annual: founded by one queen in spring, at full size by August. Here is why late summer is peak season in SoCal, where the nests that actually matter are hidden, and when a nest is a DIY job versus a call.
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Flea-Borne Typhus in Los Angeles: Record Cases and What Homeowners Should Actually Do
LA County reported a record 220 flea-borne typhus cases in 2025, with roughly 9 in 10 patients hospitalized, and announced a localized Pico-Union outbreak in July 2026. Here is what the public health data actually says and what it means for your property.
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Ankle-Biter Mosquitoes Are Taking Over Southern California — What They Are and How to Stop Them
The invasive Aedes "ankle-biter" mosquito has spread across the South Bay, LA, and Orange County — it bites all day, breeds in a bottle cap of water, and shrugs off the old tactics. Here's how to fight back.
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Fall Rodent Season in Southern California — Why Rats and Mice Come Indoors as It Cools
As nights cool and outdoor food dries up, rats and mice look for warm shelter — and your home is the target. Here's why fall is peak rodent season in SoCal and how to seal them out before they move in.
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South Bay vs. Westside vs. Valley — How Pest Pressure Differs Across Los Angeles
Climate, housing age, and landscape density vary dramatically across LA — and so does pest pressure. Here's what each zone faces and why.
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Why Are There Rats in Southern California Suddenly? Understanding the Population Boom
LA rat populations have been growing for over a decade. Here's what's actually driving the surge — and what it means for homeowners across the South Bay and greater Los Angeles.
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Summer Is Coming — and So Are the Bugs
What Southern California homeowners need to know about pest season, what to watch for, and how to stay ahead of it before things get out of hand.
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Xtermicon was founded in 2015 with one focus: protect Southern California homes and businesses from the pests that threaten them. The name says it all — eXterminate TERmites & pest CONtrol — and that's exactly what we do. We're a family-owned team specializing in termite control, pest control, and rodent exclusion. From West LA and East LA to the beach cities and Orange County, we're local neighbors who treat your property like our own.