5 CA Cities Named 'Top Mosquito Cities': List

CALIFORNIA — As summer heats up, so too, does mosquito season in California.

In fact, one city in the Golden State was named the top "mosquito city" in the U.S. for a fourth consecutive year, according to Orkin.

Los Angeles claimed the top spot on the pest control company's Top 50 Mosquito Cities List for 2024. New York City, Chicago, Dallas and Atlanta rounded out the top five cities.

California was represented the most on the list. Five cities in the Golden State made the top 50. San Francisco ranked No. 9, while Sacramento ranked No. 22, San Diego ranked No. 27, and Fresno ranked No. 50.

This year's data was collected by tracking new residential mosquito treatments from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, according to Orkin.

Although mosquitoes are small, they are the world's deadliest animal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They spread diseases like malaria and other serious illnesses such as West Nile virus and Zika.

West Nile is the most common mosquito-borne illness in the continental U.S., with an average of 2,400 reported cases each year, according to the CDC.

The CDC helped eliminate malaria as a major public health problem in the U.S. in the early 1950s. The disease, which can be deadly, made a comeback in the U.S. for the first time in 20 years in 2023, with eight locally acquired, mosquito-transmitted cases in Florida and Texas.

Mosquitoes thrive in warm, damp environments, which is why they become more of an issue in the spring and summer. Mosquitoes are drawn to standing water as a breeding ground to lay their eggs.

"Preventative services are the best way to reduce the risk that mosquitoes present," Orkin entomologist Frank Meek said. "By targeting the problem at its source, homeowners can reduce the risk of mosquito-transmitted illnesses for their families and their communities."

Orkin recommends eliminating standing water in rain gutters, potted plants, wading pools, and other outdoor items. The company also suggests regularly replacing water in pet water bowls and bird baths to prevent stagnation.

People should also wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and use EPA-registered mosquito repellent containing products such as DEET, picaridin or IR3535.

• Also see: Worst CA Cities For Bed Bug Infestations: Report