Top 5 East Coast cities for mosquito activity

June 1st marked the first day of Atlantic hurricane season. Unfortunately for East Coast residents, it coincides with mosquito season. Mosquitoes love moisture. In fact, mosquito eggs need it to hatch. Therefore, a period of increased rainfall, intermittent flooding, and high humidity gives these blood-sucking pests just the environment needed to thrive.

Not only are mosquito bites incredibly itchy and annoying, but they also carry with them the risk of disease transmission. Protect yourself and your family from mosquitoes this summer with Ehrlich Pest Control. Our Mosquito and Tick Protection Plan will put your mind at ease knowing that our mosquito control experts are keeping your property mosquito-free.

Check out 5 of the top cities for East Coast mosquito activity listed below.

Coming in at number 5 is our nation’s capital, Washington. D.C. As temperatures rise in the United States, mosquitoes are gravitating further north, and this city is suffering the consequences. Additionally, mosquitoes are better able to survive the winter months when temperatures fail to drop below freezing. The D.C. area has many bodies of water, thousands of people passing through each day (plenty of blood to drink!), and abundant wooded areas that provide mosquitoes a desirable environment in which to live.

If you’re planning to visit Washington D.C. this summer, make sure to pack your EPA-registered bug spray!

U.S. News’ # 1 place to visit in the United States, New York City, is number 4 on our list of top East Coast cities for mosquito activity. City officials say that mosquitoes, including those that carry diseases, are active in New York City beginning in April and continuing through October.

The NYC Department of Health is doing what it can to reduce mosquito populations and protect its inhabitants and visitors. During the aforementioned date range, the DOH encourages people to report standing water in the city that is not taken care of within 5 days. Such water collection promotes rapid mosquito population growth. In the case of conditions that could attract mosquitoes, the property owner could be fined up to $2000 for failing to remove the standing water!

From riverboat cruises to a walk down River Street, there is no shortage of things to do in Savannah, Georgia. Many of the things for which this southern city is famous take place outdoors, but tourists aren’t the only ones enjoying what Savannah has to offer. 40 species of mosquito have made themselves right at home here. Recently, the area has seen increased rainfall that has only worsened the city’s mosquito problem. The city has an average annual rainfall of 47.98 inches, compared to the national average of 30.21 inches.

Orlando may be known for its infamous mice, but mosquitoes enjoy this Florida tourism hub too. Disney World, arguably the biggest attraction in the city, has taken to providing complimentary insect repellent throughout the resort to protect its visitors against mosquito bites. Orlando has an even higher average annual rainfall than Savannah, at 53.19 inches. And with around 68 million people visiting Orlando each year, mosquitoes have plenty of opportunities for a good blood meal.

Sitting at the top of the list is one of the world’s top vacation spots, Miami, Florida. With year-round warm weather and rainy winters, mosquito season is pretty much 365 days a year in Miami. 48 species of mosquito have been identified in Miami-Dade County, the most prevalent of which are the following:

• Aedes aegypti (vector for Yellow Fever and Zika Virus)

• Aedes albopictus

• Aedes taeniorhynchus

Aside from the weather, a popular Miami ornamental plant, the bromeliad, can play a part in increased mosquito activity. The bromeliad’s leaves collect water and provide mosquitoes with a perfect breeding ground.

What does hurricane season mean for mosquito populations?

In a time of heightened threat of hurricanes along the Atlantic coastline, you may wonder about the implications of hurricane season on mosquito activity. The problem with mosquitoes and hurricanes is not the adults, but the eggs. Adult mosquitoes do not usually survive the high winds of the storm, but eggs laid prior to the storm in moist soil or other water reserves are suddenly surrounded by increased moisture. These are ideal conditions for hatching.

In addition to improved hatching conditions, East Coast residents often spend a great deal of time outdoors after a hurricane cleaning up and getting the town back to working order. Increased time spent outdoors means a greater possibility of being bitten by mosquitoes. The mosquito populations that are escalated as a result of a hurricane are often species known as “nuisance mosquitoes.” These mosquitoes are unpleasant and can cause discomfort with their itchy bites, but they are not generally vectors of viruses such as West Nile or Zika. That being said, disease-carrying mosquitoes can also be a concern in the wake of a hurricane, so you should still take caution.

If you’re experiencing problems with mosquitoes on your property, Ehrlich Pest Control can help. Contact us or call us at 888-984-0186 to have one of our mosquito control experts pay you a visit. We will provide you with specialized solutions to make your mosquito problems a distant memory.

*Cities selected from careful analysis of NASA’s Zika Forecast and CDC West Nile Case Data