CINCINNATI -- Summer is just around the corner and what does that mean? Mosquitoes. Cincinnati has been ranked the 11th most mosquito-infected city in the U.S., but there are ways to prevent them from taking a bite out of your summer.
According to a news release from Terminx, the pest control company examined service data from branches across the country between April 1, 2016, and April 1, 2017, to determine the areas where customers are most pestered by mosquitoes.
Cincinnati was ranked at No. 11, while the top two spots went to Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston, Texas.
Also in the press release, Terminx listed their Ultimate Mosquito Guide which gives the following tips for homeowners who want to reduce the number of mosquitoes they have:
1. Remove sources of standing water. Mosquitoes need standing water in order to lay their eggs. Removing old tires, buckets, plastic sheeting or covers and old containers that may have filled with water will reduce the available habitat in your yard.
2. Clean out the gutters. In addition to getting rid of ground sources for standing water, it is also important to maintain your gutter system. Leaves and other debris can build up in your gutters and down spouts, leading to water retention.
3. Change water sources weekly. Emptying or replacing the water in outdoor pet bowls, fountains and birdbaths, rain barrels, and plant containers weekly will help break the mosquito breeding cycle.
4.; Replace outdoor lighting. Mosquitoes, like many insects, can be attracted to light. Special bulbs called "bug lights" emit a different type of light than typical light bulbs. Replacing outdoor lighting with these "bug lights" can help attract fewer mosquitoes.
5. Seal and screen entry points. Mosquitoes are small; most species are about one-quarter to one-half of an inch in their adult stage. This means they can enter your home or garage through the tiniest of openings.
The city is no stranger to mosquitoes -- just last fall, Hamilton County issued a mosquito warning reminding residents to protect themselves from mosquito-borne viruses such as West Nile and Zika.
