3 Ohio towns make Top 50 Mosquito Cities in US

Summer is here, and with the warm weather comes pesky mosquitoes buzzing around you and sucking your blood.

Beyond being an annoyance, mosquitoes pose a health hazard to humans and animals as they spread illnesses including malaria, West Nile virus, Zika, and more.

Unfortunately for those in Ohio, three cities in the Buckeye State were named to the Top 50 Mosquito Cities in the U.S., according to Orkin, a national pest control company.

Cleveland was the highest-ranking Ohio city on the list at No. 19 overall, a slight drop from 18th in last year’s rankings. Columbus, meanwhile, ranks 32nd among mosquito cities in the U.S., down five spots from last year, while Cincinnati ranks 38th on the list, up four spots from last year.

In order to best repel mosquitoes, Orkin recommends the following tips while outdoors in the summer: Apply an EPA-registered mosquito repellent containing products such as DEET, picaridin or IR3535; wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants; remove standing water in rain gutters, wading pools, potted plants and other outdoor items; and regularly refresh water in pet bowl and birth baths to prevent stagnation.

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

While Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati ranked 19th, 32nd and 38th, respectively, the top five mosquito cities in the U.S. are, in descending order: Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Dallas and Atlanta.

The full list of Orkin’s top 50 mosquito cities in the U.S. can be found online.