Philly ranks in 'Top 15 worst mosquito cities' in the U.S., new list shows

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Female Aedes aegypti mosquito feeding on a human hand, engorged with blood, 2006. Image courtesy Centers for Disease Control (CDC) / James Gathany. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

What we know:

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia came in at No. 14 on Orkin’s 2026 Mosquito Cities List, dropping three spots from last year.

The annual ranking is based on the number of new residential mosquito treatments performed by Orkin between March 2025 and March 2026.

Los Angeles held the top spot for the sixth straight year, followed by Chicago and New York.

The data reflects where pest control demand is highest, often signaling increased mosquito activity in those areas.

Where your city ranks

Here are the top 20 cities on Orkin’s 2026 Mosquito Cities List:

1. Los Angeles
2. Chicago
3. New York
4. Detroit
5. Atlanta
6. Washington, D.C.
7. Houston
8. Dallas
9. Cleveland
10. Denver
11. Raleigh, N.C.
12. Charlotte, N.C.
13. Minneapolis
14. Philadelphia
15. Indianapolis
16. Tampa, Fla.
17. Miami
18. San Francisco
19. Orlando, Fla.
20. Columbus, Ohio

FILE - Female Aedes aegypti mosquito in the process of acquiring a blood meal from its human host, 2006. Image courtesy Centers for Disease Control (CDC) / James Gathany. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

Big picture view:

Experts say mosquito activity is no longer concentrated in traditional hotspots and is expanding across the country.

"Over the past decade, we’ve seen mosquito activity expand beyond traditional hotspots and become a nationwide concern," said Shannon Sked, Orkin entomologist.

Environmental changes and the spread of mosquito species are contributing to new hotspots in more regions.

Why you should care:

Mosquitoes are considered the deadliest animal in the world, responsible for more than 600,000 malaria-related deaths each year, according to the CDC.

In the U.S., they can spread diseases including West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis and Zika.

Health experts say warmer weather and standing water can increase mosquito populations in urban areas like Philadelphia.

What you can do:

To reduce mosquito exposure, Orkin recommends:

• Wearing long sleeves and using insect repellent
• Installing tight-fitting screens on windows and doors
• Trimming vegetation where mosquitoes rest
• Eliminating standing water around homes

What's next:

Mosquito activity is expected to increase as the summer season continues, making prevention efforts especially important in the coming months.