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The 10 Worst Cities in the U.S. for Mosquitoes

Blood-sucking monsters are real.

If you’re living in California, you must already know that it is buzzing with ankle-biting mosquitoes. But did you know that the U.S. has authorized the release of 2.4 billion genetically modified Aedes aegypti mosquitoes? The experiment is planned to stop the spread of the Aedes aegypti (yellow fever mosquito), an aggressive species that causes dengue, chikungunya, and zika.

The Aedes aegypti is a non-native species that has increased its population in California after it was detected in the state in 2011. Now, these genetically modified “males” will control the spread by preventing female offspring (which usually bite) from surviving into adulthood.

Mosquitoes thrive in warm temperatures, but they have spread to other countries with globalization (mainly with moving goods). With climate change, scientists fear that mosquitoes will breed more and assault people in places where they didn’t before. Hence, experiments to control the spread of these bugs and the diseases they spread.

Related: Climate Change Brings New Danger to Travelers in These Parts of the U.S.

There are many cities in the U.S. that are currently dealing with these pesky nuisances. Pest control company Orkin released a study of the top mosquito cities in the country, and guess who topped it? Los Angeles. The City of Angels is also the city of mosquitoes for the second time in a row! There are some cities that are new entrants to this sad top 50: Columbus, Pittsburgh, Sacramento, Milwaukee, Champaign, Flint, Portland, Greensboro, Louisville, Myrtle Beach, Hartford, and Waco.

Before you head to the listed cities, read this CDC guide on mosquito protection.

1 OF 10

Los Angeles

Both yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) and Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) are prevalent in California. These non-native mosquitoes bite in the day and carry diseases, though the state hasn’t recorded any transmissions, according to the California Department of Public Health.

2 OF 10

Chicago

The Windy City gained three positions from 2021. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois is tormented by floodwater mosquitoes and the dengue-causing Asian tiger mosquito, which has become a menace in Illinois after it arrived in Texas in 1985. 

Related: Do Travelers Still Need to Worry About Zika?

3 OF 10

New York

Another city to jump three spots on this list from last year is New York. This August, the NYC Health Department revealed that West Nile Virus has caused four deaths this year and infected 54 people. First detected more than 20 years ago, West Nile Virus is transmitted by culex mosquitoes. 

The statement said, “In the City, mosquito and WNV activity is rising, with a total of 1,068 positive mosquito pools across the five boroughs—the highest number ever recorded– compared to 779 positive pools detected at this time last year.”

4 OF 10

Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., was third on this last year, but has dropped a spot. The most common species in the area are the common house mosquitoes (culex pipiens), Asian tiger mosquitoes, and yellow fever mosquitoes. Cover up and use a repellant if you’re in the area in the summer.

5 OF 10

Atlanta

Another city where mosquitoes have lost some ground, according to this study, is Atlanta. However, this July, health officials found mosquitoes carrying the West Nile Virus in the city. West Nile Virus is one of the most common mosquito-borne viruses in Georgia, and is most active in late spring to early fall.

6 OF 10

Dallas

Texas has a major mosquito problem—it has more than 80 species. Floodwater mosquitoes have been the bane of existence for many Dallas residents this year—they are big, aggressive, and difficult to control.

7 OF 10

Detroit

There are more than 60 species of mosquitoes in Michigan. There were 46 cases of West Nile Virus, leading to one death last year. Jamestown Canyon virus infected six in 2021, according to the health department.

8 OF 10

San Francisco

An astounding feat is San Francisco, which has jumped 34 spots to reach number 8 on this list. The Aedes aegypti has spread to many California counties, and this October, the invasive mosquitoes were detected in San Jose, making it the first time this biter made its presence known in Santa Clara County.

9 OF 10

Miami

Miami has dropped down one spot on this list. Mosquitoes are a nuisance in the city—48 species thrive in the subtropical climate of Miami. After the first case of dengue was confirmed in July, Miami-Dade county went under a mosquito-borne illness advisory

10 OF 10

Philadelphia

Philly made it to the list of top 10 mosquitoes cities in the U.S. after gaining two spots from last year. West Nile Virus was detected in Pennsylvania in 2000, and the state has been running a program to detect, track, and control the virus.

1 Comments
K
kimberlycimino1863 November 8, 2022

Your writers have to be smoking the California Reefer to claim that Los Angeles has more mosquitos than Atlanta, Miami, Savannah, New Orleans, Baton Rouge or basically anywhere in the South or the Midwest in the Summer. Dc in the summer is also full og blood suckers. Puerto Rico is also part of the USA. Though it it is true LA has seen an influx of mosquitos during the Pandemic, the stealth attackers typically only bite drunk people and high-sugar ingesters like Juicers and Detoxers.