Have mosquitoes been bugging you more than usual lately?
As it turns out, you might not be alone, as a new study by pest control service Terminix has found that Los Angeles is home to more mosquitoes than any city in America.
The pesky bugs are starting to emerge sooner and for longer periods than in previous years as overall temperatures rise nationwide, researchers said.
“Although these cities were pinpointed based on Terminix service data, any area that experiences seasonal temperatures above 55 degrees Fahrenheit is at risk of mosquito activity, with coastal regions and areas prone to higher humidity being the most vulnerable,” the study said.
Los Angeles finished atop the list of cities buzzing with mosquitoes, according to Terminix data; four other California cities finished in the top 20, including San Francisco (#10); Palm Springs (#12); Sacramento (#17) and San Diego (#20).
Other California cities that cracked the top 50 for most mosquitoes include Fresno-Visalia (#27) and Bakersfield (#35).
Data suggests that the bigger the city, the bigger the mosquito problem; New York, Dallas, Atlanta and Philadelphia all followed L.A. in the top five.
The 50 American cities with the most mosquitoes, according to Terminix data, can be viewed below:
- Los Angeles, CA
- New York, NY
- Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
- Atlanta, GA
- Philadelphia, PA
- Washington, DC (Hagerstown, MD)
- Houston, TX
- Tampa-St. Petersburg, FL
- Orlando-Daytona, FL
- San Francisco, CA
- Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Palm Springs, CA
- Memphis, TN
- Baltimore, MD
- San Antonio, TX
- Nashville, TN
- Sacramento, CA
- Boston, MA
- Mobile, AL – Pensacola, FL
- San Diego, CA
- Detroit, MI
- Little Rock, AR
- Chicago, IL
- Indianapolis, IN
- Jacksonville, FL
- Denver, CO
- Fresno-Visalia, CA
- West Palm Beach, FL
- Cincinnati, OH
- Austin, TX
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Louisville, KY
- Cleveland-Akron, OH
- Tyler-Longview, TX
- Bakersfield, CA
- Columbus, OH
- Honolulu, HI
- Shreveport, LA
- St. Louis, MO
- Jackson, MS
- Richmond-Petersburg, VA
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Paducah, KY – Cape Girardeau, MO – Harrisburg, IL
- Kansas City, MO
- Birmingham, AL
- Fort Myers-Naples, FL
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Waco-Temple-Bryan, TX
- Seattle-Tacoma, WA
- Tallahassee, FL
Proper mosquito control is vital for health and safety and for communities at risk of mosquito infestations, Terminix said, citing EPA data that indicated cases of West Nile virus tripled in the U.S. in a one-year period.
To fight mosquitoes, experts recommend following the three D’s: Defend, Dress, Drain
- Defend: Use an EPA-approved insect repellent according to label directions. The most effective repellents should contain at least 20 to 30 percent DEET. The higher the percentage of DEET in a product, the longer it will last, experts advise.
- Dress: Wear lighter colored clothing, as mosquitoes are more attracted to darker colors. Long sleeves, long pants and socks are recommended when near water or heavily wooded areas. Experts note that some repellents work best on the skin, and others may perform best when applied directly to clothing.
- Drain: Drain any standing water and clean out gutters and drains to make sure they are free-flowing. Fountains, birdbaths and flower pots also collect water; mosquitoes can breed in as little as one tablespoon of water, so draining all forms of standing water is critical, experts say.
Southern California residents are advised to contact a local pest control specialist to come up with the most effective individualized mosquito control solutions.
