ATLANTA, May 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- For the sixth year
in a row, the Atlanta area tops
pest control leader Orkin's Top 50 Mosquito Cities list, released
today. Second on the list is the New
York market, which moved up one spot from last year,
followed by the Chicago and
Houston-area markets. Boston and Baltimore rose 20 and 27 spots, respectively.
Eleven new cities and metro areas were added to the list including
Denver; Burlington, New York; Milwaukee; Cincinnati; Greensboro, N.C.; Savannah, Ga.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Baton Rouge; Amarillo, Texas; Madison, Wisc. and Charleston, S.C.
"Mosquitoes are more than annoying; they can be a major health
threat," said Dr. Mark Beavers,
Orkin entomologist. "Mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile
virus, encephalitides, dengue, chikungunya and for those who may
remember, Zika, threaten the safety of humans and pets."
Mosquito season starts when spring temperatures arrive, and they
are most active when temperatures rise above 80 degrees. Breeding
season is usually July through September, while peak West Nile
virus season is typically late August through September, and
sometimes lasts through October. Mosquito activity usually drops
when temperatures dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit and stops when
temperatures drop below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit).
Orkin's Top 50 Mosquito Cities list ranks metro areas by the
number of mosquito customers served from April 1, 2018 to March 31,
2019. The list includes both residential and commercial
treatments.
1.
Atlanta
|
26. Tulsa,
Okla. (+9)
|
2. New York
(+1)
|
27. Minneapolis
(+5)
|
3. Washington, D.C.
(+1)
|
28. Albany, New
York (-2)
|
4. Chicago
(+1)
|
29. Grand
Rapids, Mich. (-7)
|
5. Houston
(+2)
|
30. Memphis
(-18)
|
6. Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas
(-4)
|
31. Oklahoma
City (+9)
|
7. Detroit
(+4)
|
32. New Orleans
(-3)
|
8. Philadelphia
(+9)
|
33. Cleveland,
Ohio (+14)
|
9. Charlotte, N.C.
(+1)
|
34. Lafayette,
La. (-7)
|
10.
Raleigh-Durham, N.C. (+5)
|
35. Burlington,
New York (new to list)
|
11. Phoenix
(+14)
|
36. Mobile,
Ala. (-15)
|
12. Los Angeles
(+4)
|
37. Milwaukee
(new to list)
|
13. Boston
(+20)
|
38. Austin
(-18)
|
14. Miami
(-6)
|
39. Knoxville,
Tenn. (+7)
|
15. Baltimore
(+27)
|
40. Cincinnati
(new to list)
|
16. Richmond,
Va. (+14)
|
41. San Antonio
(-5)
|
17. Nashville
(-4)
|
42. West Palm
Beach, Fla. (+6)
|
18. Tampa
(-4)
|
43. Greensboro,
N.C. (new to list)
|
19.
Indianapolis (+5)
|
44. Hartford,
Conn. (-8)
|
20. St. Louis
(-14)
|
45. Savannah,
Ga. (new to list)
|
21. Norfolk,
Va. (+2)
|
46.
Jacksonville, Fla. (new to list)
|
22. Orlando
(-3)
|
47. Baton Rouge
(new to list)
|
23. Greenville,
S.C. (+8)
|
48. Amarillo,
Texas (new to list)
|
24. Denver (new
to list)
|
49. Madison,
Wisc. (new to list)
|
25. Kansas City
(-16)
|
50. Charleston,
S.C. (new to list)
|
With the presence of West Nile virus in the U.S., 2,544 cases in
2018, 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 mosquitoes
that spread them.
Below are the most common types of mosquitoes in the
U.S.:
- Culex Mosquitoes: These
mosquitoes are seen throughout the United
States and can transmit West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis and even bird malaria.
They are mostly night biters but can also bite at dusk and
dawn.
- Aedes Mosquitoes: These are commonly known
as floodwater mosquitoes, and they may live in a variety of
habitats ranging from swamps to natural containers such as soda
cans and pet water bowls. They can transmit several diseases
including dengue, chikungunya, Zika and dog heartworm. Many of
these are day-biters with the peak periods in the morning and
afternoon.
- Anopheles Mosquitoes: In
addition to spreading malaria, which has been eradicated from
the United States but is
constantly reintroduced due to infected travelers from foreign
countries, Anopheles mosquitoes can transmit dog heartworm
as well as a few viruses. They have been found in most states and
are most active at night.
"Male adult mosquitoes feed on plant nectar, while females need
a blood meal to support reproduction," said Beavers. "Reducing
items that attract mosquitoes, actively working to prevent them
from breeding in their required water habitats, wearing insect
repellent or moving inside the home during peak biting times are
ways to protect one's self from mosquito bites."
After mating, females typically seek a blood meal to aid in egg
production. Those eggs are laid in water or just above the edge of
the waterline (for example, floodwater mosquitoes). Those water
sources may be standing pools or stagnant water but can also be
manmade sources such as bird baths, buckets and even mud puddles.
Egg numbers vary from species to species but there can be more than
100 eggs in a single laying. And in as a little as four days, a
single mosquito can multiply into as many as 400.
Orkin recommends the following tips to help residents protect
against mosquitoes:
Eliminate Mosquito-Friendly
Conditions in and Around Your Yard
- Any object that has the potential to hold water should be
removed or cleaned out frequently, as mosquitoes can breed in just
an inch of standing water.
- Clean gutters to avoid rainwater build up. Be sure to check for
puddles that form on the roof from rain water, leaking pipes or
even condensation from air conditioners.
- Change the water (at minimum) weekly in bird baths, fountains,
potted plants and any containers that hold standing water,
including wading pools.
- Keep swimming pool water treated and circulating.
- Trim shrubbery, as adult mosquitoes like to rest in dark,
protected areas with high humidity, such as under the leaves of
lush vegetation.
Prevent Mosquitoes from Biting
- Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
Mosquitoes can bite through tight clothing.
- Apply an EPA-registered mosquito repellent containing products
such as DEET, picaridin or IR3535.
Eliminate Entry Points
- Inspect doors and windows for drafts or openings around their
perimeters and window air conditioning units. Install weather
stripping around doors and utilize caulk around window
frames.
- Ensure that window and door screens are securely in place and
free of holes or tears.
- Keep doors tightly closed. A propped-open door is a welcome mat
for mosquitoes to enter your home.
For more mosquito information and prevention tips, visit
Orkin.com.
About Orkin, LLC
Founded in 1901, Atlanta-based Orkin is an industry leader in
essential pest control services and protection against termite
damage, rodents and insects. The company operates more than 400
locations with almost 8,000 employees. Using a proprietary,
three-step approach, Orkin provides customized services to
approximately 1.7 million homeowners and businesses in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, South
America, Central America,
the Middle East, the Caribbean, Asia, the Mediterranean and Africa. Orkin is committed to studying pest
biology and applying scientifically proven methods. The company
collaborates with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) and eight major universities to conduct research and help
educate consumers and businesses on pest-related health threats.
Learn more about Orkin at Orkin.com. Orkin is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Rollins Inc. (NYSE: ROL). Follow us
on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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SOURCE Orkin, LLC