Hear that buzzing? Mosquitoes are back, and an Upstate city is on Orkin's most-infested list.

Hear that buzzing near your ear? You better watch out ― those pesky mosquitoes are on the fly.

The itchy and scratchy bloodsuckers are all over the South during the summertime, especially in Greenville ― one of America's most mosquito-infested cities.

This year, Greenville isn't alone when it comes to having many mosquitoes — two more cities in South Carolina are also swarming with them, according to pest control company Orkin.

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Every year, Orkin compiles a list of cities with the most mosquitoes based on the number of new residential mosquito treatments performed over a certain period.

Here are Orkin's most mosquito-infested cities from April 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025.

Which South Carolina cities have the most mosquitoes?

According to Orkin, Greenville (No. 22), Columbia (No. 41), and Myrtle Beach (48) are the most mosquito-infested cities in the Palmetto State.

Top 10 Most Mosquito-Infested Cities of 2025, According to Orkin

1. Los Angeles, California
2. Chicago, Illinois
3. New York
4. Atlanta, Georgia
5. Detroit, Michigan
6. Houston, Texas
7. Dallas, Texas
8. Washington, D.C.
9. Cleveland, Ohio
10. Denver, Colorado

How can I avoid mosquitoes outside this summer?

Mosquitoes may carry germs and diseases that can make you fall ill. To protect yourself from mosquito bites this summer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends taking the following measures:

• Use EPA-registered insect repellents with one of the following active ingredients (DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus [OLE], para-menthane-diol [PMD], 2-undecanone). When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Do not use products containing OLE or PMD on children under 3 years old.
• Do not apply repellent to a child's hands, eyes, mouth, cuts, or irritated skin. Adults, apply repellent to your hands and then apply to a child's face.
• Always follow the product label instructions. Reapply repellent as directed. Do not apply repellent on the skin under clothing. If you are using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.
• Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs.
• Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting.
• Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants.
• Wear clothing and gear treated with permethrin. Permethrin is an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes. Permethrin-treated clothing provides protection after multiple washings. Do not use permethrin products directly on skin.

To avoid mosquitoes coming into your home, you can take several preventive measures:

• Use screens on windows and doors. Repair holes in screens to keep mosquitoes outdoors.
• Use air conditioning, if available.
• Stop mosquitoes from laying eggs in or near water. Check for water-holding containers both indoors and outdoors. Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, or trash containers.

Nina Tran covers trending topics for The Greenville News. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Hear that buzz? Mosquitoes are back, and an Upstate city is on Orkin's most-infested list