Where we rank on top mosquito cities

Orkin, the well-known pest control service provider, has released its fourth annual Top 50 Mosquito Cities List. To no surprise, a few Florida cities are on it.

As it gets warmer, mosquitoes become more of an issue. Based on Orkin’s mosquito customers served between April 1, 2016, to March 31, West Palm Beach is home to some of the most blood-sucking insects in the Southeast region. Our official ranking: No. 16. Here are other Florida areas: Miami/Fort Lauderdale: No. 5. Tampa-St. Petersburg: No. 11 Orlando/Daytona Beach/Melbourne: No. 12. Mobile/Pensacola: No. 15 The No. 1 city that bites: Atlanta. Followed by Washington, D.C., Chicago and New York.

Mosquitoes are considered a public health threat, which has been of even more concern in recent years with the emergence of the Zika virus. Still, many Americans remain unconcerned about Zika. At least 220 cases of the virus have been transmitted in the U.S., though that is only a fraction of the more than 5,000 confirmed cases of the virus in the U.S. since January 2015. Orkin recommends these steps: ■ Eliminate mosquito-friendly conditions in and around your yard. Repair holes in window and door screens and close gaps around windows and doors to prevent mosquitos from getting inside.

■ Trim shrubbery, as adult mosquitoes like to rest in dark areas with high humidity, such as under the leaves of lush vegetation.

■ Remove standing water buckets, toys and other containers, as mosquitoes can breed in just an inch of standing water.

■ Wear loose-fitting clothing with long sleeves and long pants in areas where you may encounter mosquitos.

■ Use mosquito repellent that contains DEET, picaridin or IR3535

Atlanta Journal-Constitution writer Nedra Rhone contributed to this report.