The Summer Swarm: Homeowners in These Vulnerable Cities Are Bracing for a Mosquito Explosion This Year

This summer, don’t be alarmed if mosquitoes decide to ruin your summer cookout.

Depending on where you live, you might see a significant spike in mosquito activity in the months ahead.

Orkin recently identified the top “hot zones” for mosquitoes, placing Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York City at the top of the list. 

If you live in an area where mosquitoes are expected to be particularly active, being proactive is key. By mosquito-proofing your home, you can actually enjoy the warmer months and even boost curb appeal during peak selling season.

Why certain metros attract mosquitoes 

Mosquitoes love large metro areas because they combine dense human populations, abundant backyard breeding sites, complex stormwater infrastructure, and high service demand. 

In Los Angeles, for example, the issue is most likely less about natural wetlands and more about urban container breeding. 

“Invasive Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are established in much of Southern California, live close to people, bite aggressively during the day, and use small water-holding containers around homes, patios, yards, and even indoor spaces,” explains Louisa Messenger, professor of environmental and occupational health at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. 

In Chicago, the pattern is more seasonal but intense. 

“The summer humidity and rainfall paired with the older urban infrastructure, catch basins, clogged gutters, alley containers, and backyard water sources can create ideal conditions for the West Nile virus species such as Culex,” adds Messenger.

How to mosquito-proof your home

While you can’t eliminate mosquitoes entirely, you can significantly reduce their risk. Here are several strategies to point you in the right direction.

Remove standing water

This is the No. 1 step toward reducing mosquitoes on your property. They use standing water to lay their eggs, and the more you have, the more places they can breed. 

“While obvious sources like birdbaths, buckets, kiddie pools, and pet bowls are easy to notice, also remember clogged gutters, water pooling near the foundation after rains, and saucers under flowerpots,” says Nicole Carpenter, pest control professional and president at Black Pest Prevention in Charlotte, NC.

Be strategic about landscaping 

If reducing mosquitoes is your goal, you need to be very careful with what you use for landscaping and strict about maintaining trees and shrubs. Mulch, dense ground cover, leaf litter, and overgrown vegetation prevent moisture from evaporating from the soil and keep the soil damp, which can make your yard more attractive to mosquitoes. 

“Trees with dense canopies, low-hanging branches, shaded corners, or even tall grass are all hiding spots for mosquitoes. Trimming trees and other vegetation can significantly reduce mosquito resting areas,” Carpenter adds. 

Take advantage of insect repellent

If you want to reduce mosquito bites while you’re outdoors, use an EPA-registered insect repellent with active ingredients like DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or an oil of lemon eucalyptus. 

For gatherings with food under covered patios, Carpenter recommends an outdoor ceiling fan or even a portable fan as mosquitoes are weak fliers and avoid areas with strong airflow.

Set up mosquito dunks or bits

If you have ponds, rain barrels, drainage ditches, or just anything with standing water that you can’t get rid of, use mosquito dunks or mosquito bits that prevent mosquito larvae from developing and breaking the mosquito life cycle. 

“You should use them once every 30 days because they slowly release bacteria that target mosquito larvae but are safe for people, pets, and fish,” explains Carpenter.

Consider professional mosquito treatments

You may want to reach out to a local pest control company to evaluate your yard and recommend the next best steps for mosquito prevention. They may be able to provide larvicide treatments to stop mosquito eggs or spray adulticides to reduce active mosquitoes. 

According to Angi, you can expect to pay between $50 to $2,500 per treatment, depending on your location and property size.