For the third year in a row, Los Angeles edged out all other cities to land the #1 spot on Orkin’s Top 50 Mosquito Cities List. Holding strong for the second consecutive year at number two and three are Chicago and New York, respectively. Atlanta moved up one spot to secure the number four ranking while Dallas/Fort Worth jumped one spot to number five.
Charlotte (#10) jumped eight spots, landing a Top 10 ranking for the first time. Memphis saw the largest jump this year, moving up 15 spots to number 31. Joining the list this year are Oklahoma City, Austin, Spokane (Washington), Bakersfield (CA) and Fresno (CA).
As the weather begins to warm and people venture outdoors for activities and summer gatherings, mosquitoes seek to enjoy the weather, too. Mosquitoes thrive in warm temperatures and after rainfall can lay their eggs in low-lying pools and reproduce rapidly, changing from larva to adult stage in as little as several days to a couple of weeks.
Mosquitoes are one of the world’s greatest public health threats. They carry vector-borne diseases such as West Nile virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and Zika, dangers that apply to both humans and pets. Orkin is committed to educating the public on the risks associated with these blood-sucking pests, and more importantly, reducing the number of mosquitos from yards across the country.
Tips to repel and prevent mosquito bites include:
- Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
- Apply an EPA-registered mosquito repellent containing products such as DEET, picaridin, or IR3535.
- Eliminate standing water in bird feeders, water bowls for pets, potted plants, wading pools and other children’s toys.
- Regularly clean debris in gutters that provide moisture and harborage.
