Three Michigan Cities Among the Worst in US for Mosquitos

It's beginning to feel a lot like mosquito season, and three cities in Michigan will have an extraordinarily difficult time battling the pesky insects this summer.

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Orkin released its annual list of the 50 worst cities in the United States for mosquitos. The ranking is based on the pest-control company's list of areas where the most mosquito-control services have been performed over the last year.

What Cities in Michigan Are Among the Worst?

Orkin puts the following three Michigan cities (in order) in its Top 50 list of areas with the worst mosquito infestations:

• Detroit
• Grand Rapids
• Flint

Detroit is Michigan's worst city for mosquitos, ranked at #8 on Orkin's annual list. This is roughly the same as last year when the Motor City came in at #7.

Grand Rapids' mosquito problem seems to be getting worse, as the city moves up five notches to #23 this year.

The same goes for Flint, with the Vehicle City moving up seven spots on the list to #35 overall.

Nationally, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York are the three worst cities in the US for the pesky creatures, coming in at number one, two, and three respectively for the second year in a row.

Many Varieties of Mosquitos

According to Orkin, there are more than 200 types of mosquitos in the US. Breeding season usually starts in May and typically runs through September.

Here Are Four Tips to Help Prevent Mosquito Bites:

• Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

• Apply an EPA-registered mosquito repellent containing products such as DEET, picaridin or IR3535.

• Eliminate standing water in bird feeders, water bowls for pets, potted plants, wading pools and other children’s toys.

• Regularly clean debris in gutters that provide moisture and harborage.