New York is Now the 2nd Worst Place for These

After a full year, the results are in and New York is now the second-worst place in the country for these!

In a world where most of us have a hard time agreeing on just about everything, I think I might have found one thing that all of us New Yorkers can agree on without much argument. New York is one of the worst places for various types of bugs, right?

A new study says that the average American claims to be on the receiving end of a bug bite 17 times a year!! Wait, what? Let me be the first to say for the first time in a long time, "I am WAY above average, and if you live in New York you are probably like me and feel like you get 17 bug bites a day, not a year and this could be the reason why.

New York is the 2nd Worst Place for Mosquitoes

Yes, the great state of New York has slowly been climbing the list of the country's worst places for mosquitoes! At this time last year, we told you that New York was the 3rd worst place for those annoying bloodsuckers according to the folks at bug company Orkin and this year it's gotten even worse as New York is now #2. Los Angeles took the top spot for the fourth year in a row followed by (2) New York, (3) Chicago, (4) Dallas, and (5) Atlanta.

Mosquitos Love New York

One of the main reasons mosquitoes love New York is our warm temperatures, especially after rain! Mosquito breeding season can start as early as May and last through September with them laying eggs in low-lying pools of water. According to Orkin, once they lay eggs, they begin to reproduce rapidly, changing from larva to adult stage in as little as several days to a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, mosquitos across New York will only worsen over the next couple of months as they become more active when temperatures exceed 68 degrees Fahrenheit overnight.

Mosquitoes Can Be Deadly

Yes, mosquitoes are annoying but they are also extremely dangerous as they are the deadliest animal on earth, causing more than 600,000 malaria-related deaths around the world each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They also can carry numerous diseases that can harm humans and pets so it is important to try and protect yourself from getting bit.

SEE ALSO: Restaurants That Should Replace Red Lobster in New York

Tips to Prevent Mosquito Bites

If you are going to be outside for an extended time you should wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Orkin also suggests that folks apply an EPA-registered mosquito repellent containing products such as DEET, picaridin, or IR3535. It's also helpful to eliminate standing water in bird feeders, water bowls for pets, potted plants, wading pools, and other children’s toys, and always regularly clean debris in gutters that provide moisture and harborage.