The 15 Cities in the U.S. with the WORST Mosquito Problem—and How to Avoid Getting Bitten
The good news: It's spring! The bad news: It's also mosquito season-especially if you happen to live in New York, Chicago or Atlanta.
Those three places top a just-released ranking of the 15 U.S. cities most bothered by mosquitos, based on sales and service data from lawn care company TruGreen. Rounding out the list are Boston, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Tampa, Houston, Milwaukee, Charlotte, Miami and Hartford. Notably absent are any West Coast cities, which apparently lag behind their East Coast and Midwestern counterparts when it comes to being overrun by the flying bloodsuckers.
So what can you do to keep bites at bay if you do live in a mosquito-prone locale? According to TruGreen, you'll want to start by ridding your backyard of anything that attracts the insects. Remove or replace any containers of standing water (think birdbaths, unemptied buckets), since that's where mosquitoes lay their eggs. Clear away piles of twigs, branches, or leaves, where the bugs tend to gather. And keep your lawn well-mowed, since tall grass creates cool spots that mosquitoes love.
Certain plants, like lavender and lemon balm, have a tendency to repel mosquitoes, making them a smart addition to any garden. There are also some surprisingly chic citronella candles out there, so stock up if you're planning to do any outdoor entertaining.
If all else fails, you can always call in an exterminator to tackle the situation-or move to L.A.
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