List Of U.S. Buggiest Cities 2020 | TruGreen

New York Metro Area Tops TruGreen List of U.S Buggiest Cities! 

Summer is quickly approaching and cities around the United States are already being invaded by outdoor pests. To get a better look, we released our most recent list of cities most bothered by bugs. If you live in one of these cities, it’s time to get ahead for a bite-free summer! 

New York City continues its reign as the buggiest city. It’s followed by Boston, Chicago, Atlanta and Dallas respectively, and includes the increased percentage in services provided compared to the previous year. While July remained the peak month for infestation for a second consecutive year, residents are taking steps now to ensure their outdoor experience is both enjoyable and safe.

1. New York, NY (15 percent increase)
2. Boston, MA (10 percent increase)
3. Chicago, IL (30 percent increase)
4. Atlanta, GA (18 percent increase)
5. Dallas-Fort Worth, TX (20 percent increase)
6. Detroit, MI (20 percent increase)
7. Washington, DC (20 percent increase)
8. Philadelphia, PA (24 percent increase)
9. Hartford-New Haven, CT (5 percent increase)
10. Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN (29 percent increase)

Ticks in the U.S.

The following cities made the list as the 10 cities most affected by ticks. 

1. New York, NY
2. Boston, MA
3. Hartford-New Haven, CT
4. Philadelphia, PA
5. Providence-New Bedford, RI
6. Portland-Auburn, ME
7. Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
8. Detroit, MI
9. Pittsburgh, PA

Mosquitoes in the U.S.

The following cities made the list as the 10 cities most affected by mosquitoes. 

1. Chicago, IL
2. New York, NY
3. Boston, MA
4. Atlanta, GA
5. Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
6. Detroit, MI
7. Washington, DC
8. Philadelphia, PA
9. Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN
10. Hartford-New Haven, CT

Did Your City Make The List?

Check out this infographic of the buggiest cities and see if yours made the list – then enlist the help of your TruGreen specialist to give those bugs the boot.

Report Methodology

The list of customers in cities most bothered by bugs was developed by TruGreen based on an analysis of customer sales and service data from both residential and commercial treatments from January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019. 

“As we see temperatures rise around the country, cities will without a doubt see the arrival of mosquitoes, fleas and ticks,” said John Bell, board-certified entomologist at TruGreen. “Our hope is that by making cities and states aware, we can combat these pests, and the diseases they carry, before they become a bigger problem during peak months. Our TruGreen Mosquito Control and TruShield Flea and Tick Control provides a multi-pronged approach – selection, prevention, management and treatment – to protect against pests so you can enjoy life outside, bug-free.”

The Buzz on Bugs

With over 176 species of mosquitoes in the U.S. and over 90 species of ticks, they are a common nuisance that affect almost every region of the country. TruGreen encourages following a few tips that complement the TruGreen Mosquito Control  and TruShield Flea and Tick Control programs to help consumers minimize pest presence and keep themselves and their families safe.

To minimize mosquitoes in your yard try following these simple steps: 

• Remove or regularly replace standing water that accumulates in things like buckets and birdbaths where mosquitoes lay their eggs.
• Make sure your yard is free from piles of twigs, branches and leaves which provide harborage for mosquitoes.
• Keep your lawn well mowed and other vegetation trimmed to eliminate cool spots where mosquitoes prefer to hang out.
• Take the necessary precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and consider hiring a professional lawn care company to kill mosquitoes where they rest – in trees, shrubs, mulched areas and all types of ground cover.

To minimize ticks in your yard try following these steps: 

• Keep grass no more than three inches high, trim shrubs and other lawn vegetation and remove decaying brush to reduce tick hiding places.
• Protect decks, patios and outdoor play equipment by placing them in a sunny location and away from trees when possible.
• Use a DEET-based insect repellent, especially on your ankles, wrists and neck.
• Outfit your pets with flea and tick collars to help decrease ticks over time and reduce ticks in the home.

What Is the Mosquito Control & Defense Service?

My city has mosquito trucks, so why do I need you to treat? Fogging is used by many municipalities for large-scale control of mosquitoes. This treatment is not as effective in reducing mosquito populations in and around the immediate backyard and other outdoor areas of our customers.

Is the TruGreen Mosquito Defense effective if my neighbor’s do not treat their property? Yes. Mosquitoes can fly only short distances as adults before they must seek shelter and rest. By treating the ornamentals on our customers’ properties, we effectively protect their landscape from adult mosquitoes coming from neighboring properties seeking shelter in treated shrubs during the day.

TruGreen is offering initial treatments of Mosquito Defense for $39.95 and for best results, TruGreen recommends monthly treatments. For more information about mosquito service offerings at TruGreen and how to prevent mosquitoes from ruining your time outside, click here or call 866-688-6722.