ABILENE, TX — Some experts have said mosquitos are one of the world's most dangerous killers and there's a growing population of them in parts of the Big Country.
"The diseases we get from mosquitos are virtually all viral and there is not much you can do once you get bitten by a infected mosquito,” said Dr. Charles Allen with the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension.
Orkin, a pest control company, released its '2018 Mosquito Cities list' on Monday and ranked cities across the U.S. based on the number of new mosquito customers served from April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018.
"Most of the mosquitos that people deal with in their yard or in their home, they raised or their neighbors raised,” said Dr. Allen.
In 2017, Abilene ranked at No. 57 on Orkin’s list. This year it went up 18 spots, to No. 39.
"It's all preventative, it's all about preventing mosquito bites,” said Dr. Allen.
People can prevent being bit by a bloodsucker with the 4 Ds: drain, dawn & dusk, dress and defend, said Dr. Allen.
Drain the water and prevent the mosquitos from developing. People are most likely to be bit during dawn or dusk. Dress in long sleeve shirts and pants. Defend with repellent.
Dallas ranks at No. 2 and for the first time since Orkin started making the list in 2014, San Angelo made the 150-list coming at No. 109.