Atlanta Tops Mosquito Cities List

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May 19, 2014, 01:33 ET

ATLANTA, May 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Pest control leader Orkin released its top 20 mosquito cities. Nine of the cities on the list are in the southeast, including the top city, Atlanta. Six of the cities are in the Midwest region.

The cities are ranked by the number of mosquito treatments the company performed in 2013.

According to Orkin, June, July and August are prime months for mosquito activity in most areas due to warmer temperatures, but the season can stretch through October. Mosquitoes are one of the world's most dangerous pests, affecting humans and animals alike. (PRNewsFoto/Orkin, LLC)

Atlanta
Chicago
Washington, D.C.
Detroit
Raleigh-Durham
Boston
Houston
Nashville
Charlotte
Dallas-Fort Worth
Richmond-Petersburg
Miami-Fort Lauderdale
Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek
Memphis
Columbus, Ohio
Cleveland-Akron
Huntsville-Decatur, Alabama
Minneapolis-St. Paul
Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News
Albany-Schenectady-Troy

Mosquitoes are one of the world's most dangerous pests, affecting humans and animals alike. Internationally, they can transmit diseases such as malaria, yellow fever and dengue fever through their bites.

In the United States, mosquitoes are known to transmit West Nile virus and other illnesses that can cause encephalitis, or swelling of the brain. In 2013, more than 2,300 cases of West Nile virus were reported in 48 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Six of Orkin's top 20 mosquito cities are in states – Georgia, Illinois, Tennessee, Texas and New York – that saw some of the highest incidence rates of West Nile in 2013.

Mosquito bites can also transmit heartworm disease in pet animals like cats and dogs.

"Temperatures are rising, and that means the mosquito population will soon be on the rise too," said Orkin Technical Services Director Kim Kelley-Tunis. "There is no telling how large this year's population will be or how severe the nation's West Nile virus cases could become. That's why it's important for families to start taking precautions against mosquitoes now."

June, July and August are prime mosquito months in most areas due to warmer temperatures, but the season can stretch through October.

Orkin recommends the following tips to help prevent mosquitoes around the home:

Make sure to apply an EPA-approved insect repellent before heading outside.
Wear long sleeves and pants outside at dawn and dusk, which is prime time for mosquito activity.
Empty any standing water from bird baths, flower planters as well as toys and playground equipment outside the home to prevent water from collecting. Mosquitoes only need a small amount of water to breed.
Clean gutters and downspouts regularly or cover them with mesh to prevent leaves and debris from collecting and holding water.
Make sure screens around the home, both on windows and doors, fit tightly and have no holes to keep mosquitoes from making their way into the house.
Eliminate standing water inside the home that may attract mosquitoes to spaces like kitchen sinks and pet bowls.

For more information about mosquito prevention, 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 http://orkin.com. Orkin is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rollins Inc. (NYSE: ROL).