Chicago’s Mosquito Problem Among Worst In Nation
Orkin has released its annual rankings of worst cities for mosquitoes. Chicago didn’t fare well.
By Amber Fisher, Patch Staff |
Chicago ranked fourth worst in the country, just behind Houston and ahead of Washington, D.C. For the sixth consecutive year, Atlanta earned the miserable honor of worst city for mosquitoes, followed by New York City.
Here are the 10 worst cities for mosquitoes according to Orkin:
- Atlanta, GA
- New York City, NY
- Washington, D.C.
- Chicago, IL
- Houston, TX
- Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX
- Detroit, MI
- Philadelphia, PA
- Charlotte, NC
- Raleigh-Durham, NC
Mosquito season begins when spring temperatures arrive, Orkin said. The pests are most active when temperatures climb above 80 degrees, with breeding season occurring July through September. Entomologist Mark Beavers noted in a news release that mosquitoes aren’t only annoying, they can “be a major health threat.
“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,” he said.
Federal health officials agree. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mosquito bites can cause sickness or even death, though most are just a nuisance.
To prevent mosquito bites — and those irritating red bumps that inevitably follow — the CDC suggests using insect repellent that contain DEET, picaridin, ir3535, lemon eucalyptus oil, para-menthane-diol or 2-undecanone. Other options include wearing long sleeves and pants or using air-conditioning or window and door screens.
To prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs inside and outside your home, try to keep items from collecting standing water.
“Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out containers that hold water,” the CDC said. This includes vases, pet water bowls, flowerpot saucers, discarded tires, buckets, pool covers, birdbaths, trash cans and rain barrels.
These steps can help reduce the mosquito population in and around homes. If you’re unable to seal off your home, the CDC offers up a less than-glamorous tip: “Sleep under a mosquito bed net.”
Patch national staffer Dan Hampton contributed to this report.
