1. Los Angeles26. Fresno, Calif.
2. Dallas-Fort Worth27. St. Louis
3. Houston28. West Palm Beach, Fla.
4. New York29. San Diego
5. Washington, D.C.30. Sacramento, Calif.
6. Atlanta31. Louisville, Ky.
7. Philadelphia32. Jacksonville, Fla.
8. Memphis, Tenn.33. Columbus, Ohio
9. Baltimore34. Tulsa, Okla.
10. Chicago35. Shreveport, La.
11. Miami36. Kansas City, Mo.
12. San Francisco37. Jackson, Miss.
13. Boston38. Cleveland
14. Orlando, Fla.39. Tyler-Longview, Texas
15. Nashville, Tenn.40. Birmingham, Ala.
16. Tampa, Fla.41. Fort Smith, Ark.
17. San Antonio42. Montgomery, Ala.
18. Phoenix43. Baton Rouge, La.
19. Austin, Texas44. Chattanooga, Tenn.
20. Oklahoma City45. Honolulu
21. Little Rock, Ark.46. Richmond, Va.
22. Mobile, Ala.47. Corpus Christi, Texas
23. Indianapolis48. Paducah, Ky.
24. Detroit49. Milwaukee
25. Cincinnati50. Denver

More Than A Nuisance

While mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria and Zika, kill millions each year across the globe, in the U.S. mosquitoes can transmit serious diseases such as West Nile virus and encephalitis.

Property owners should be particularly cautious as the U.S. experienced its highest level of precipitation in recorded history over a 12-month period this summer. Such heavy rains can lead to increased standing water for mosquitoes to breed, unleashing higher than normal mosquito populations.

In addition to transmitting serious illnesses, mosquitoes are also a significant nuisance for Americans. According to a recent study by Terminix, most Americans find mosquitoes more annoying than alarm clocks, backseat drivers, and being interrupted.

Mosquito Control Tips

To help reduce mosquito populations and decrease the availability of potential breeding sites, landscapers should follow these tips from Terminix when servicing a customer’s property:

  1. Keep the lawn and landscape trimmed and free of debris. Mosquitoes look for shaded and undisturbed places, like overgrown landscapes, to rest. Be sure to keep trees and shrubs properly maintained.
  2. Change water sources weekly. Mosquitoes need only a small amount of water to lay their eggs and reproduce. Regularly emptying items that hold water, such as bird baths, tire swings and dog bowls, can reduce opportunities for mosquito reproduction.

    mosquitoes
    Check for even small areas of standing water where mosquitoes can breed.
  3. Remove sources of standing water. Items often left in the lawn or near the house, such as lawn furniture, wood piles or buckets, can create harborage sites for mosquitoes. Talk to the property owners about decluttering to reduce the number of places mosquitoes can breed.
  4. Keep gutters clear. Maintaining the gutter system is an important step in mosquito control, as blocked gutters can hold water that allows mosquitoes to reproduce. Talk to property owners about clearing gutters of fallen leaves and other natural debris seasonally.
  5. Place fans in outdoor seating areas. Because mosquitoes are naturally weak fliers, they tend to avoid flying in windy conditions. Incorporate a place for fan use near outdoor seating areas as a helpful deterrence.