It’s mosquito season. Some metros may face swarms of these biting insects more than others. Some properties may be unintentionally attracting them, too.
Mosquitoes tend to become more active when temperatures rise above 68 degrees overnight. Mosquitoes tend to be most present between dusk and dawn, according to Orkin, a nationwide pest control service firm. “Like many insects, mosquitoes need a food source, favorable temperatures, and a proper breeding site to survive,” said Frank Meek, technical service manager at Rollins Inc., which Orkin is a wholly owned subsidiary of. “They are attracted to areas where humans and other animals are present, due to our body heat and the carbon dioxide we exhale, two of their needs.”
Protect a property from mosquito swarms by reducing or eliminating these potential breeding areas, according to Orkin:
- Standing water in bird feeders, water bowls for pets, potted plants, and wading pools and other children’s toys
- Dark, humid areas such as under patio furniture, under the garage, or within overgrown shrubbery
- Debris in gutters that provide moisture and harborage
Prepare for the Return of the Cicadas
Orkin released its annual list of the top cities facing mosquito control issues, basing its rankings on the number of mosquito customers served from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021, for residential and commercial treatments. Los Angeles topped this year’s list. Here are the 20 metros where mosquitoes may be the biggest nuisance this year:
- Los Angeles
- Atlanta
- Washington, D.C.
- Dallas
- Chicago
- New York
- Detroit
- Miami
- Charlotte, N.C.
- Raleigh-Durham, N.C.
- Houston
- Philadelphia
- Tampa, Fla.
- Grand Rapids, Mich.
- Orlando, Fla.
- Nashville, Tenn.
- Minneapolis
- Indianapolis
- Baltimore
- Memphis, Tenn.
Source: “Bites, Camera, Action: Los Angeles Ranks #1 on Orkin’s 2021 Mosquito Cities List,” Orkin (May 24, 2021)
