This might be the one time you’re not rooting for the top spot.
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The uninvited guest at every pool party, barbecue, and picnic that we all expect to see, mosquitoes are a most unwelcome summer pest. As the summer season rolls in, with warmer temperatures and sweat-slicked skin becoming the norm, mosquito populations are rising for their prime time of year.
When it comes to mosquitoes, it doesn’t matter which state you call home. These pests have roots in all fifty states, including Alaska, which boasts an enviably short but intense biting season, though “hot spots” do vary from year to year depending on average temperatures, rainfall, and other climate factors. For a decade, Atlanta held the title for most mosquitoes in the country, but new data from Orkin, a 125-year-old pest control company, highlights a recent shift in top cities for the buzzing biters, with a star-studded city taking the cake for the sixth consecutive year.
“Over the past decade, we’ve seen mosquito activity expand beyond traditional hotspots and become a nationwide concern,” Shannon Sked, an Orkin entomologist, says in a press release. “While major cities continue to experience consistent pressure, emerging trends—especially in the Midwest—show how shifting climate conditions and the expanding range of the yellow fever mosquito are creating new hotspots across the country.”
Orkin’s list was compiled following mosquito treatment data from March 2025 through 2026. Ahead, the top ten worst cities for mosquitoes this summer.
Denver, Colorado
Holding tight onto the tenth spot is Denver. The “Mile High City” is the capital of Colorado and home to around 740,600 residents and around 3,000,000 in the broader metropolitan area.
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland may be the second-largest city in Ohio, but it’s taking the cake for most mosquitoes. Home to around 361,500 residents and 2.6 million in the greater metropolitan area, the Midwestern hub is practically a buffet for the blood suckers.
Dallas, Texas
Dropping down a spot this year, to much applause from the 1.33 million people living in this Texas city, Dallas takes the eighth spot. DTX is no stranger to heat, luxurious rooftop pools, days spent at the aquarium, and strolls on the Margarita Mile, which are summer favorites for visitors and the nearly 8.5 million folks living in the metropolitan area.
Houston , Texas
Houston follows Dallas’s lead, dropping down a spot on this year’s rankings. Coined “Space City,” H-Town is home to NASA's Johnson Space Center and ten winding waterways, a top feature for home-hunting mosquitoes. This city accounts for roughly 2.4 million of the over eight million metropolitan residents.
Washington, D.C.
Texas cleared the way for Washington, D.C. to rise two spots. Now coming in sixth, the approximately 693,600 residents of the nation’s capital can expect to spray, swat, and slap double the number of mosquitoes this summer.
Atlanta, Georgia
We’re sure that after a decade in the not-so-coveted top spot, Atlanta’s 542,000 residents are more than happy to see the city descending the list, dropping yet another spot into fifth place this year.
Detroit, Michigan
Home to the Riverwalk, the 982-acre Belle Isle Park, and an impressive music festival season, Detroit is a mosquito's dream with plenty of water to lay eggs and lots of sweat-slicked skin to feed on—not great news for the 645,705 folks calling Motor City home.
New York City, New York
The Big Apple can expect a big bite this summer, or perhaps just the norm, as New York holds on to the third spot. The bustling city streets are home to over 8.58 million people and a robust commuter culture to keep them churning, even on a weekday.
Chicago, Illinois
The wind couldn’t blow Chicago out of second place. Illinois’s capital and its 2.73 million residents can brace for yet another buzzy summer this year.
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles leads the list for the sixth year in a row, with San Francisco and San Diego trailing behind, and Sacramento joining the ranking for the very first time. Data suggests that the spread of mosquitoes can be attributed to environmental factors as well as the introduction and dominance of new species, so residents of the Sunshine State should hold out hope. Who knows how things might shake up next summer!
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