NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The first half of 2025 has been wet for Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky.

Severe weather caused issues earlier this year and now it appears that the wet and humid weather is ideal for mosquitoes.

According to Matthew Peters, communications director for the Metro Public Health Department, the West Nile Virus was found in Nashville mosquitoes much earlier than normal this year. He added the presence of West Nile typically correlates with high numbers of mosquitoes.

"It was the rainiest May that we have had for a long time. This was also the earliest that we've had to inform the community about a positive West Nile pool, which typically only comes with when there are more mosquitoes," Peters told News 2. "So, that could be a link, we also know last spring was fairly wet and we alerted the community of our first West Nile pool on June 5 last year."

The Metro Department of Public Health has been trapping, counting, and testing mosquitoes in Davidson County for the last several years. Mosquitoes are tested for several things, but most importantly, the West Nile Virus. The traps are checked weekly from May through September.

Peters said the traps are placed near areas where mosquitoes thrive. For example, wet areas with stagnant water and tall grass, which are where mosquitoes reproduce.

In 2024, there was a clear correlation between the rainfall and the number of mosquitoes counted in traps.

Last year, May saw the most mosquitoes, which was also the month with the highest rainfall totals. Meanwhile, August saw the least amount of mosquitoes and the least amount of rain.

Nashville is currently experiencing one of its wettest springs on record, so you need to be prepared for a lot of mosquitoes when you go outside.

The Metro Department of Health said you can follow the steps above to help limit the number of mosquitoes in your yard.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/is-wet-weather-causing-more-mosquitoes-in-middle-tennessee/