by Brianna Crandall — September 3, 2018 — In recognition of World Mosquito Day, Terminix, a 90-year national provider of termite and pest control services and a ServiceMaster company, has announced its list of 25 cities pestered the most by mosquitoes. The Dallas-Fort Worth area topped the list for the second consecutive year, followed by New York City (not in last year’s Top 20); Washington, DC (up from #12 last year); and Houston (down from #2 last year).
(Graphic: Terminix)
While many in the United States think of mosquitoes as little more than nuisances that cause itchy red bumps, Terminix reminds that they can transmit serious diseases — including the West Nile virus and Zika virus in the US — and globally, they are vectors for deadly illnesses including malaria. According to the World Health Organization, mosquitoes are the world’s deadliest animal.
The Top Mosquito Cities list was determined by examining data regarding mosquito-specific Terminix services rendered by more than 300 branches across the US between July 1, 2017, and July 1, 2018. Texas and Florida lead the nation, each with four cities on the list, followed closely by California and Tennessee.
The full list of the Top 25 cities (with Terminix’s 2017 rating, if different) is:
- Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
- New York City, NY (not in Top 20 last year)
- Washington, DC (#12 last year)
- Houston, TX (#2)
- Los Angeles, CA (not in Top 20)
- Atlanta, GA (#4)
- Philadelphia, PA (not in Top 20)
- Memphis, TN (#6)
- Chicago, IL (not in Top 20)
- Baltimore, MD (not in Top 20)
- Miami, FL (#5)
- San Antonio, TX (#3)
- Orlando, FL (not in Top 20)
- Nashville, TN (#7)
- Tampa, FL (#13)
- San Francisco, CA (not in Top 20)
- Boston, MA (not in Top 20)
- Little Rock, AR (#16)
- Mobile, AL (#9)
- Austin, TX (#8)
- Oklahoma City, OK (#19)
- Detroit, MI (not in Top 20)
- Jacksonville, FL (#10)
- Indianapolis, IN (#20)
- Phoenix, AZ (not in Top 20)
Comparisons
For comparison, FMLink published pest control provider Orkin’s Top 50 Mosquito Cities list earlier this summer. With Orkin’s results of 1/ Atlanta, GA; 2/ Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX; 3/ New York, NY; 4/ Washington, DC; and 5/ Chicago, IL, the two companies’ 2018 lists appear to be more similar for many cities than comparing Terminix’s 2017 and 2018 results. But suffice it to say that if your city is on either list, watch out for mosquitoes!
It should also be noted that the list does not measure total calls to all pest control providers, so different providers may list other cities as having a higher number of treatments. Also, some places known for their swarms of mosquitoes conduct widespread public spraying through mosquito-control programs, such as the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District around the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area in Minnesota, which may affect their ranking on the list.
Solutions
Although the spread of Zika virus, in particular, in the US has significantly decreased, from 5,168 cases in 2016 to 433 cases in 2017, it remains a concern as there is no treatment, cure or vaccine for the virus. One of the best strategies for eliminating mosquito-borne diseases is to reduce populations of the mosquitos that spread them.
Terminix provides a variety of solutions to significantly reduce the threat of mosquitoes and the potential spread of disease, including the new Quick Guard Mosquito Service and One-Time Mosquito Service, quick and effective mosquito treatments that begin working immediately. Earlier this year Terminix launched Quick Guard, which combines the benefits of working immediately with a longer-lasting impact, providing significant value to customers. This product has seen rapid adoption by customers, delivering significant growth.
One-Time Mosquito Service is a great option that can be purchased online for near-term mosquito mitigation, such as ahead of an outdoor event, while Quick Guard holds up for weeks on end and even in challenging environments such as poor weather conditions and lawn watering. And because Terminix services are backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, customers can purchase with confidence.
According to Terminix, property owners can take steps to limit the number of mosquitoes in their backyards. Decrease the availability of potential breeding sites through the following means, and consult a professional for mosquito control for additional help:
- Remove sources of standing water. Some mosquitoes need standing water in order to lay their eggs. Removing open containers, buckets, plastic sheeting or covers, and tires filled with water can help reduce breeding sites.
- Clean the gutters. Leaves and other debris can build up in gutters and downspouts, leading to water retention.
- Change water sources weekly. Emptying or replacing the water in outdoor fountains, birdbaths, rain barrels and plant containers often will help break the mosquito-breeding cycle.
- Replace outdoor lighting. Mosquitoes, like many insects, can be attracted to light. Special bulbs called “bug lights” emit a different type of light than typical light bulbs. Replacing outdoor lighting with these “bug lights” can help attract fewer mosquitoes.
For more information about Mosquito Control, visit the Terminix website or call your local Terminix branch in the US or Canada.
