As Summer Begins, Cities Abuzz With Mosquito Complaints

MEMPHIS, TN--(Marketwired - June 01, 2017) - With summer fast approaching, warm-weather enthusiasts are preparing for sun-soaked beach trips, sizzling backyard barbecues and, unfortunately, the return of itchy, red mosquito bites. Termite and pest control leader Terminix, a ServiceMaster (NYSE: SERV) company, knows the bite these pests can take out of a successful summer, and today revealed the list of the 20 cities most affected by the mosquito's menace to help homeowners and businesses plan for a swat-free summer.

Terminix examined service data from branches across the country between April 1, 2016 and April 1, 2017 to determine the areas where customers are most pestered by mosquitoes. Texas earned the "honor" of the top three spots on the list, followed closely by Florida and Tennessee. The full list of the top 20 cities is:

1. Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas

2. Houston, Texas

3. San Antonio, Texas

4. Atlanta, Ga.

5. Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

6. Memphis, Tenn.

7. Nashville, Tenn.

8. Austin-Round Rock, Texas

9. Mobile, Ala.

10. Jacksonville, Fla.

11. Cincinnati, Ohio

12. Washington, D.C.

13. Tampa, Fla.

14. Louisville, Ky.

15. Baton Rouge, La.

16. Little Rock, Ark.

17. Tulsa, Okla.

18. Birmingham, Ala.

19. Oklahoma City, Okla.

20. Indianapolis, Ind.

"Mosquitoes can take the buzz out of outdoor fun, and Terminix is committed to defending our customers' yards, homes and businesses against these pests," said Paul Curtis, director of technical and regulatory services with Terminix. "We want summer enthusiasts to know they don't need to tolerate these pests -- there are options to beat the buzz and help keep mosquitos out of your summer plans."

Whether a homeowner has called in professional help or prefers a do-it-yourself pest control approach, Stephanie Richards, Ph.D, medical entomologist and associate professor at East Carolina University, believes it's essential they understand their role as the first line of defense against mosquitoes. "Homeowners and communities have the ability to make a big impact in reducing backyard mosquito species, such as Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus," she said. "With knowledge of mosquito biology and perseverance in continually reducing water-holding containers, people can help reduce backyard mosquito populations."

Terminix recently created the Ultimate Mosquito Guide for homeowners seeking to reduce the number of mosquitoes on their property and provided the following tips:

1. Remove sources of standing water. Mosquitoes need standing water in order to lay their eggs. Removing old tires, buckets, plastic sheeting or covers, and old containers that may have filled with water will reduce the available habitat in your yard.
2. Clean out the gutters. In addition to getting rid of ground sources for standing water, it is also important to maintain your gutter system. Leaves and other debris can build up in your gutters and down spouts, leading to water retention.
3. Change water sources weekly. Emptying or replacing the water in outdoor pet bowls, fountains and birdbaths, rain barrels, and plant containers weekly will help break the mosquito breeding cycle.
4. Replace outdoor lighting. Mosquitoes, like many insects, can be attracted to light. Special bulbs called "bug lights" emit a different type of light than typical light bulbs. Replacing outdoor lighting with these "bug lights" can help attract fewer mosquitoes.
5. Seal and screen entry points. Mosquitoes are small; most species are about one-quarter to one-half of an inch in their adult stage. This means they can enter your home or garage through the tiniest of openings.

Source reduction tips for homeowner associations:

1. Start a conversation. Homeowners may not be aware their homes are breeding sites for mosquitos. Consider sharing information from a credible source -- like Terminix, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or a local university -- about where mosquitoes lay their eggs and the reduction of water-holding containers at neighborhood meetings.
2. Encourage continued action. By asking residents to dump or treat water-holding containers at least once per week, homeowner associations can significantly reduce the number of Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti that become blood-feeding adults and create a happier, swat-free environment for all.
3. Coordinate efforts. If there's neighborhood interest, establish a "source reduction crew" and schedule weekly and/or monthly campaigns to reduce breeding sites during mosquito season using non-insecticide methods. With homeowners' permission, walk house to house, identifying and then dumping any water-holding containers.

Terminix offers a number of mosquito control options in branches across the country, including an eco-friendly, attractive targeted sugar bait (ATSB) solution treatment plan. ATSB is more than 90 percent effective in reducing mosquito populations over two to three weeks, and then is reapplied monthly to keep populations down. It is safe for use around kids, pets and food. The formula combines mosquito-toxic garlic oil with sugary fruit extracts to bait and eliminate pests. Terminix also offers a knockdown solution for immediate adult mosquito kills, larvicide to kill the immature stages developing in water, and other methods to eliminate the pests.

For more information, visit Terminix.com or call your local Terminix branch.

About Terminix

Terminix is the leading provider of termite and pest control services in the United States. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., Terminix services approximately 2.8 million residential and commercial customers in 47 states and 22 countries. Terminix provides pest control services and protection against termites, rodents and other pests. Terminix is a business unit of ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SERV), a leading provider of essential residential and commercial services. To learn more about Terminix, visit www.Terminix.com.

About ServiceMaster

ServiceMaster (NYSE: SERV) solves the homeowner's dilemma. Every day, we visit more than 75,000 homes and businesses through our extensive service network of expert professionals. Technology powers our trusted experts to engage with customers so they can order, buy and receive services when, where and how they want them. Our well-recognized brands include American Home Shield (home warranties), AmeriSpec (home inspections), Furniture Medic (furniture repair), Merry Maids (residential cleaning), ServiceMaster Clean (janitorial and residential floor cleaning), ServiceMaster Restore (disaster restoration) and Terminix (termite and pest control). Like, follow or visit us at www.facebook.com/ServiceMaster, www.linkedin.com/company/ServiceMaster, www.twitter.com/ServiceMaster, or www.servicemaster.com.

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