Call the swat team

Dallas swats more mosquitoes than any other U.S. city, new survey says

See ya, suckers.

Courtesy photo

Here’s some annoyingly buzzy news: Dallas captures the unwanted No. 1 spot on a new list of the U.S. cities that combat the worst problems with mosquitoes.

What’s even worse is that this is the second year in a row that Dallas has topped the annual list of mosquito trouble spots issued by pest control company Terminix.

“While many may think of mosquitoes as little more than a nuisance, these pests can transmit serious diseases, including West Nile and malaria, prompting the World Health Organization to name the mosquito the world’s deadliest animal,” Terminix says.

Terminix based its 2018 ranking on the number of mosquito services it provided from July 1, 2017, to July 1, 2018.

So, why does DFW hold the distinction of being No. 1 for mosquito woes?

“Mosquitoes may be heavier in one part of the country due to a number of factors, including climate, available breeding sites such as standing water, and other conditions that would be favorable for mosquito development,” says Doug Webb, manager of technical services at Terminix. “Mosquito development can vary from year to year based on normal variations in annual weather patterns.”

In a ranking released in May 2018 by Orkin, a Terminix rival, DFW showed up at No. 2 among the country’s 50 worst cities for mosquitoes. Atlanta grabbed the top spot.

Not far behind DFW in the top 25 on the new Terminix list is Houston, at No. 4. Meanwhile, San Antonio appears at No. 12 and Austin at No. 20.

For the sake of comparison, Houston was No. 7 on the Orkin list, with Austin at No. 20 and San Antonio at No. 37. Orkin based its ranking on the number of new mosquito customers served from April 1, 2017, to March 31, 2018.

Texas officials have been trying for years to swat away the state’s mosquito menace.

According to a March 2018 report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Texas landed in the top 20 percent for states with the most cases of mosquito-borne illnesses from 2004 to 2016. Last year, Texas reported 135 cases of mosquito-borne West Nile illness that resulted in six deaths, the Texas Department of State Health Services says.

This is an especially bad time of year for mosquitoes. Breeding season typically runs from July through September, while peak West Nile virus season normally goes from late August through September or even October, according to Orkin.

Recent heavy rains in Dallas-Fort Worth have sent many people running for the mosquito swatter and chemical repellent. Here are a few tried-and-true alternative devices and treatments you can use to keep mosquitoes at bay.

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Flood Response

New relief fund launches for 2026 Texas Hill Country flood victims

People look out at flood on July 16, 2026 in Center Point, Texas

Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images

The same foundation that collected more than $60 million for the 2025 floods has launched a new fund for 2026.

Texans looking to support Hill Country neighbors affected by floods over the past few days can turn to the same organization they did for the July 2025 floods: The Community Foundation of the Hill Country has launched a new Texas Hill Country Flood Relief Fund that is accepting donations now.

The foundation emphasizes that the two funds are distinct (last year's was called the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund), so donors should note that their contributions will specifically go toward Hill Country residents affected by the current floods. The money raised will offer emergency assistance and long-term recovery support.

According to the Associated Press, nearly 1 trillion gallons of water fell on the three hardest-hit Texas counties over three days — enough to fill 1.5 million Olympic-sized swimming pools or supply 11 million homes for a year. First responders rushed to save people trapped in high waters Friday, as more heavy rain widened the danger from floods that have killed at least two people and left hundreds more in need of rescue.

Earlier in the week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared a disaster in 59 counties including Travis to help emergency services respond quickly.

Although many regional businesses, churches, and other groups organized donations for the 2025 floods, the Community Foundation was the main entity holding and distributing funds. The Kerr County Flood Relief Fund totaled more than $60 million by the end of that July.

"Our hearts break that the Texas Hill Country is once again facing catastrophic flooding. Just one year after the devastating July 2025 floods, many of our neighbors are again in harm's way," said Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country CEO Austin Dickson. "People from across Texas and around the world came together to help Kerr County begin the long road to recovery. As first responders and local and state officials continue their response efforts, the Community Foundation's role is to help ensure communities have the philanthropic resources they need to recover in the weeks, months and years ahead."