These cities are most likely to see an explosion in disease-spreading pests: study

A rollercoaster of record-breaking cold, warmth, snow and rain has public health and pest control experts looking at health threats from pests nationwide.

According to the bi-annual Public Health Pest Index from the National Pest Management Association, 11 cities are at a high risk for upticks in disease-spreading pests. These pests include ticks, mosquitoes, cockroaches and rodents like rat and mice. 

What diseases do ticks, mosquitoes, cockroaches and rodents spread?

"Ticks, mosquitoes, cockroaches, and rodents pose serious health risks," said Dr. Jorge Parada, Medical Advisor for NPMA with a focus on infectious disease. "They can spread dangerous diseases like Lyme disease, West Nile virus, Salmonella, plague, and hantavirus, and even trigger asthma and allergies. Educating the public on these threats is critical, because without proper prevention, these pests can have serious consequences on our health."

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Top cities on Public Health Pest Index

Boston: The NPMA says brutal snowstorms and mid-winter cold snaps push rodents indoors in search of warmth and food sources. With spring expected to be warmer this year, ticks may get a jumpstart to the season, "putting outdoor enthusiasts at risk sooner than expected."

Cleveland: According to the NPMA, the mild, soggy conditions are ideal for a rise in cockroaches and ticks. 

Denver: The snow-packed Denver winter will have mice scurrying into homes to find warm shelter. 

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Florida: Florida’s dry winter has sent cockroaches indoors in search of food and moisture, while the historic cold snaps in the northern part of the state have driven rodents inside for shelter. Mosquito activity was lowered by the winter weather, but they’ll be back soon, the NPMA says. 

Grand Rapids: Rats and mice will rush indoors in search of warmth thanks to record-breaking snowfall. Tick populations are also expected to rise to dangerous levels with a rainy spring. 

Louisville: Louisville saw extreme cold and historic snowfall, too, bringing rats and mice indoors for food and warmth. A predicted warm spring also doesn’t bode well for tick season. 

New Orleans: Like much of the South, the New Orleans area’s historic snowfall has rats and cockroaches searching for shelter in homes. Mosquitoes are also expected to make a "fierce comeback" soon. 

Salt Lake City: House mice and white-footed mice are searching nearby homes and businesses, looking for warmth and water sources.

San Antonio: It’s been a record-breaking warm winter in San Antonio, allowing mosquitoes, cockroaches, and ticks to stay active, raising the risk of a pest boom come spring. "Expect an early surge in bites, infestations, and pest-related health concerns," the NPMA says. 

Seattle: Seattle’s warmer and drier winter could increase rodent and cockroach activity indoors as they search for water sources. Once spring rain kicks in, tick populations could rise. 

Washington, DC: The nation’s capital has seen a rollercoaster of a winter – from unusually warm to heavy snowfall – and that’s made rodent pressure skyrocket. 

"If spring arrives early, tick activity will surge, posing an increased health risk for the region," the NPMA says.