This Is the Most Mosquito-infested City in the U.S.-and No, It's Not in Florida or Texas

"In pest control company Orkin's annual report sunny Los Angeles, California, is the nation's most mosquito-infested city. The list was created by assessing the number of new residential treatments Orkin provides in a 12-month period. Based on its internal data, L.A. took the top spot. And while mosquitoes are a major annoyance, especially during vacations, bites can sometimes pose a serious risk."

""Mosquito control isn't just about avoiding itchy bites," said Frank Meek, an Orkin entomologist, in the report. "It's about safeguarding your health and your community. Proactive measures are key to controlling these seasonal surges in mosquito activity." For Los Angeles, mosquitoes are an unwelcome and invasive species. Local governments in Southern California have taken to battling the bugs by releasing sterile mosquitoes into the environment in recent years in the hopes that it will drive down the population."

Los Angeles, California recorded the highest number of new residential mosquito treatments in a 12-month period, making it the nation's most mosquito-infested city. Mosquito bites can pose serious health risks; malaria kills about 600,000 people worldwide annually, and the United States reports about 2,000 cases per year. Local public-health efforts in Southern California include releasing sterile mosquitoes to reduce populations. Climate change has contributed to growing mosquito numbers. The Aedes aegypti mosquito, called the "ankle biter," is the most common species in Los Angeles and has been linked to rising dengue fever cases. Orkin recommends the B.I.T.E. strategy for prevention.

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