Of all animal species inhabiting our world, mosquitoes are among the most abundant. A whopping 176 mosquito species are found in North America alone. Considering how common mosquitoes are and how likely they are to spread deadly disease, it is more important than ever that we learn how to protect ourselves from these creatures.

Mosquitoes in the United States

There are many varieties of mosquitoes found across the United States. One of these is the Anopheles mosquito, sometimes called the “marsh mosquito” as it is especially common in marshy areas. Female Anopheles mosquitoes can spread malaria and are found in both the Eastern and Western U.S.

Culex mosquitoes, which carry West Nile virus and equine encephalitis, are also found throughout the United States. The Aedes genus, which can be found in the East Coast, Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and Southern U.S., contains several species known to spread diseases such as Zika virus, yellow fever, dengue, and Chikungunya.

The Arrival of New Mosquito Species

Some species of mosquito not native to our country are now prevalent throughout many states. For example, the Asian Tiger mosquito, which has been a vector for chikungunya, dengue, and yellow fever, has now been located in 20 states.

One novel mosquito from the Indian subcontinent shows how globalization is contributing to the spread of new diseases. Newly found in Guantanamo Bay, the Aedes vittatus mosquito can carry nearly all of the most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases (except for malaria).

It is most likely that these species of mosquito are traveling here on aircraft and shipping carriers, then proliferating in the region. And with climate change shortening our winters, mosquitoes are able to breed more times each season—which means their numbers are significantly increasing.

Worst Mosquito Cities in the U.S.

Mosquitoes are found across the entire United States. Some of the worst U.S. cities for mosquitoes are Los Angeles, CA; Atlanta, GA; Washington, D.C.; Dallas, TX; Chicago, IL; New York, NY; Detroit, MI; Miami, FL; Charlotte, N.C.; and Raleigh-Durham, N.C. Three new West Coast cities are now ranking in the top 50 list as well: Fresno, CA; San Diego, CA; and Seattle, WA.

With how widespread these disease-carrying creatures are, we all need to protect ourselves. Adopting new daily preventative measures to guard against these invasive predators could minimize the spread of mosquito-borne diseases among our citizens.