Ohio has 2 of the worst cities for mosquitoes in the US, new ranking shows. Here’s how bad
If you think mosquitoes are bad in Ohio, it’s not just you and you’re definitely not imagining it. Two Ohio cities make the ranking for the worst cities in the country for mosquitoes, and summer is peak season.
According to a nationwide study conducted by the pest control giant, Terminix, the warm temperatures, high humidity, and abundant standing water create near-perfect breeding conditions in Ohio.
Mosquitoes are bad state-wide but Cleveland is 28th and Columbus is 36th cities with the most mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes love Ohio
Ohio’s summer climate creates the perfect breeding ground for the 59 known species of mosquitoes.
Climate conditions:
- Temperatures above 50°F
- High humidity
- Dense woodland and vegetation
- Abundant natural waterways
Mosquitoes by state
States with the most
- Texas
- California
- Florida
- Pennsylvania
- Kentucky
- Georgia
- Michigan
- New York
States with the fewest
- Nevada
- Idaho
- Utah
- Vermont
- South Dakota
- Hawaii
- Minnesota
- New Mexico
How to keep mosquitoes out of your yard
You can’t eliminate them entirely, but you can make your yard significantly less hospitable.
- Dump standing water: mosquitoes can breed in as little as a tablespoon of water
- Use Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) dunks in ponds or water gardens to kill larvae
- Mow the grass regularly and cut back dense shrubs
- Use fans outdoors: — mosquitoes are weak fliers
- Apply EPA-registered repellents like DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
- Barrier sprays from pest control companies can reduce populations for several weeks at a time
Do you have a method for keeping mosquitoes at bay and biting you? Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.
This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Ohio has 2 of the worst cities for mosquitoes in the US, new ranking shows. Here’s how bad."