When spending time outdoors, there’s one disturbance that’s tough for many people to ignore, and it’s often a product of warm, humid climates. We’re talking about mosquitoes — those aggravating little pests that can turn an otherwise pleasant getaway into an itchy nightmare. With summer vacations on the horizon, we took a look at the data from the pest-control company Terminix, which analyzed service calls from its 300-plus branches nationwide. Here’s a look at five states with the most mosquitoes in 2026, plus several U.S. cities that are notable hot spots.

5. New Jersey

The Garden State is among the worst offenders when it comes to large mosquito populations. This is due to the many rivers, coastal marshes, lakes, and stagnant water sources (such as gutters or birdbaths outside of homes) found throughout New Jersey. Those water sources, coupled with New Jersey’s humid summers, make the state an ideal breeding ground for the 60-plus species of mosquitoes that reside here. Be on the lookout from April to October, when the temperatures rise enough in New Jersey that mosquitoes start to emerge in full force.

Despite the state’s high overall ranking for mosquito populations, there was no single New Jersey city to crack the top 50 U.S. cities with the most mosquitoes. But neighboring New York City ranked third in the Terminix study.

4. Georgia

Georgia’s humid, subtropical climate makes it a haven for pesky mosquitoes. You’re likely to encounter them earlier in the year than states further north, as temperatures typically begin to rise in Georgia around mid-March. Mosquito season in the Peach State lasts well into October, so plan to have plenty of bug spray handy for most of the year.

Atlanta ranks as the fourth-worst U.S. city in terms of its mosquito population. This is attributed to several factors. One is the abundance of water sources in Atlanta, such as lakes, ponds, pools, and gutters, all of which go a long way toward propagating mosquitoes. Furthermore, the extreme humidity and plentiful rain make the city a ripe breeding ground. Travelers shouldn’t expect mosquitoes to disappear until the first freeze, which usually doesn’t come until around mid-autumn.

3. Florida

Florida ranks as the third-worst state for mosquitoes. As for specific Florida cities, Orlando tops the list, ranking No. 8 in the U.S. Other Florida cities in the top 50 include Tampa/St. Petersburg (No. 9), Miami/Fort Lauderdale (No. 13), Jacksonville (No. 26), West Palm Beach (No. 34), and Fort Myers (No. 49).

The consistent warmth and humidity of the Sunshine State make it a perfect environment for mosquitoes to breed and grow. In fact, there are a whopping 80-plus species found in Florida. They thrive in the late spring to early fall, appearing as early as February in the southernmost parts of the state.

2. California

According to the Terminix study, not only does California rank as the second-worst state for mosquitoes, but Los Angeles also ranks as the worst U.S. city. L.A. is one of seven California cities to rank in the top 50, followed by San Francisco at No. 10, Sacramento at No. 16, Palm Springs at No. 17, San Diego at No. 28, Fresno at No. 29, and Bakersfield at No. 50.

As if the issue weren’t already concerning enough, 2026 has seen a rise in the overall mosquito numbers, especially in Orange County. Due to major December rainfall coupled with unseasonably warm weather in January, mosquitoes began appearing en masse early this year. According to public information officer Brian Bannon, numbers were five times higher in early 2026 compared to the five-year average.

1. Texas

Everything is bigger in Texas, including the state’s mosquito population. There are over 80 different species of mosquitoes in the Lone Star State. The reason for this should come as no surprise — Texas has warm, humid temperatures nearly year-round, and there are plenty of water sources throughout the state for mosquitoes to breed in and grow.

The worst Texas region for mosquitoes is the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, which ranks second in the U.S. after Los Angeles. Houston ranks No. 5, with San Antonio, Tyler, Austin, and Waco all cracking the top 50 as well.

Where To Avoid Mosquitoes

According to Terminix’s findings, New Hampshire has the fewest mosquitoes, followed by Vermont, Idaho, Massachusetts, and Maine. Four out of these five states are located in New England, where it’s typically far colder later into the year, especially compared to their counterparts in the South. That means mosquito season is also shorter, typically lasting from May to September.