On World Mosquito Day, Terminix® Reveals Its Top 50 Mosquito Cities

Day raises awareness of dangers of world’s deadliest animal

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In recognition of World Mosquito Day, an international effort to raise awareness of the insect’s status as the world’s deadliest animal, Terminix, a leading provider of termite and pest control services and a ServiceMaster (NYSE: SERV) company, today announced its 2019 ranking of the country’s top 50 cities most infested with mosquitoes.

Los Angeles took the top spot, jumping from its No. 5 ranking in 2018. Dallas-Fort Worth fell to No. 2 after two years at the top of the list, followed by Houston, New York and Washington, D.C. in the top five spots. Texas and Florida dominated the list, with six and five cities in the top 50, respectively.

Mosquito-borne diseases kill millions each year across the globe. In the United States, mosquitoes can transmit serious diseases such as West Nile virus and encephalitis, and globally, mosquitoes are vectors for other deadly illnesses, including malaria and Zika.

“As the ultimate Defenders of Home, we are steadfast in our mission to protect our customers and their families from threats like mosquitoes,” said Matthew Stevenson, president of Terminix Residential. “From providing expert advice to treating a backyard, every homeowner deserves a partner who can provide a healthier and safer environment to enjoy the outdoors.”

Homeowners should be particularly cautious as the United States experienced the highest level of precipitation in recorded history over a 12-month period this summer. Heavy rains may lead to increased standing water for mosquitoes to breed, unleashing higher than normal mosquito populations.

Terminix based its ranking on the number of services rendered in each city in the last year*. The full list of the top 50 cities is:

1. Los Angeles	26. Fresno, Calif.
2. Dallas-Fort Worth	27. St. Louis
3. Houston	28. West Palm Beach, Fla.
4. New York	29. San Diego
5. Washington, D.C.	30. Sacramento, Calif.
6. Atlanta	31. Louisville, Ky.
7. Philadelphia	32. Jacksonville, Fla.
8. Memphis, Tenn.	33. Columbus, Ohio
9. Baltimore	34. Tulsa, Okla.
10. Chicago	35. Shreveport, La.
11. Miami	36. Kansas City, Mo.
12. San Francisco	37. Jackson, Miss.
13. Boston	38. Cleveland
14. Orlando, Fla.	39. Tyler-Longview, Texas
15. Nashville, Tenn.	40. Birmingham, Ala.
16. Tampa, Fla.	41. Fort Smith, Ark.
17. San Antonio	42. Montgomery, Ala.
18. Phoenix	43. Baton Rouge, La.
19. Austin, Texas	44. Chattanooga, Tenn.
20. Oklahoma City	45. Honolulu
21. Little Rock, Ark.	46. Richmond, Va.
22. Mobile, Ala.	47. Corpus Christi, Texas
23. Indianapolis	48. Paducah, Ky.
24. Detroit	49. Milwaukee
25. Cincinnati	50. Denver

From one-time services to monthly treatments, Terminix provides a variety of solutions to help significantly reduce the threat of mosquitoes around homes and yards. In addition to obtaining professional mosquito control, homeowners can help reduce mosquito populations and decrease the availability of potential breeding sites with the following tips:

1. Keep your lawn and landscape trimmed and free of debris. Mosquitoes look for shaded and undisturbed places, like overgrown landscapes, to rest. Be sure to keep trees and shrubs properly maintained.
2. Change water sources weekly. Mosquitoes need only a small amount of water to lay their eggs and reproduce. Regularly emptying items that hold water, such as bird baths, tire swings and dog bowls, can reduce opportunities for mosquito reproduction.
3. Remove sources of standing water. Items often left in the lawn or near the house, such as lawn furniture, wood piles or buckets, can create harborage sites for mosquitoes. Declutter your property to reduce the number of places mosquitoes can breed.
4. Keep gutters clear. Maintaining your gutter system is an important step in mosquito control, as blocked gutters can hold water that allows mosquitoes to reproduce. Ensure your gutters are cleared of fallen leaves and other natural debris seasonally.
5. Use fans in outdoor seating areas. Because mosquitoes are naturally weak fliers, they tend to avoid flying in windy conditions. Using a fan when sitting outdoors can be a helpful deterrence against these pests.

In addition to transmitting serious illnesses, mosquitoes are also a significant nuisance for Americans. According to a recent study by Terminix, most Americans find mosquitoes more annoying than alarm clocks, backseat drivers and being interrupted.

For more information on helping protect your home from mosquitoes, visit Terminix.com or call your local Terminix branch.

*This ranking was created by compiling mosquito-specific data of services rendered at more than 300 Terminix branches across the country. The rankings represent Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) with the highest number of actual services between June 16, 2018 and June 15, 2019.

About Terminix

Terminix is the leading provider of termite and pest control services in the United States. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., Terminix services approximately 2.8 million residential and commercial customers in 47 states and 18 countries. Terminix provides pest control services and protection against termites, rodents and other pests. Terminix is a business unit of ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. (SERV), a leading provider of essential residential and commercial services. Terminix is the Official Pest Control Partner of Minor League Baseball™. To learn more about Terminix, visit www.Terminix.com.

About ServiceMaster

ServiceMaster (NYSE: SERV) solves the homeowner’s dilemma. Every day, we visit tens of thousands of homes and businesses through our extensive service network of expert professionals. Our well-recognized brands include AmeriSpec (home inspections), Copesan (commercial national accounts pest management), Furniture Medic (furniture and cabinet repair), Merry Maids (residential cleaning), ServiceMaster Clean (commercial cleaning), ServiceMaster Restore (restoration and reconstruction), Terminix (termite and pest control), and Terminix Commercial (commercial termite and pest control). Like, follow or visit us at facebook.com/ServiceMaster, linkedin.com/ServiceMaster, twitter.com/ServiceMaster, or servicemaster.com. ServiceMaster is the Official Home Services Provider of Minor League Baseball™.