NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – As warmer weather and sunny skies return to Middle Tennessee, so does an insect that is not only considered a nuisance, but is also considered one of the deadliest animals in the world .

Mosquitoes typically begin to appear in the United States in May after hibernating during the colder months. However, as overall temperatures rise across the country, pest control companies like Terminix say mosquitoes are starting to appear earlier and for longer periods of time.

Some places naturally have a higher mosquito population than others due to environmental factors such as humidity. A study by Terminix identified the top 50 “mosquito-infested” cities in the U.S., and two of them are in Tennessee.

Memphis was ranked as the 13th worst mosquito-infested city in the nation and Nashville was just a few points behind as the 16th most mosquito-infested city. The list was generated using service data from more than 300 Terminix branches located across the country.

The cities that ranked highest on the list were where residents used the most mosquito control services in 2023. According to that data, the five worst cities for mosquitoes were Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, Atlanta and Philadelphia.

Also above Memphis and Nashville were several large Florida metropolitan areas, including Tampa, Orlando and Miami. At the bottom of the list were Birmingham, Ft. Myers, Baton Rouge, Waco, Seattle and Tallahassee.

Those who want to avoid mosquitoes as much as possible should consider moving to Maine, Idaho, Iowa, Nevada, or Nebraska, as the study found these states have the fewest mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes are not only a nuisance, but they can also pose risks to people’s health and safety by transmitting diseases such as West Nile virus and Zika virus. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), reported cases of West Nile virus in the US tripled from 2020 to 2021.

Nashville faced its own spread of the virus last year, and in August West Nile was detected in nearly 75% of mosquito traps placed around Davidson County. A Metro Public Health Department spokesperson said that number was higher than previous years.

Part of the reason may have been an especially rainy summer. However, no human cases were reported in the city. According to the health department, the last positive human case in Nashville was reported around 2019.

The EPA data set indicates that West Nile virus cases in the US have varied widely from year to year, with no obvious long-term trends. Human infections are fairly rare, but the disease can cause symptoms such as fever, headache, aches, fatigue and vomiting.

Some patients also experience more severe damage to their central nervous system, causing encephalitis, meningitis, and sometimes death. In rare cases, the disease can also cause neurological problems, according to the CDC.

Residents can take steps to protect themselves by reducing or eliminating all standing water in their yards, trimming excessive vegetation, and ensuring their windows and doors have screens.

According to Dr. Sydney Crawley, senior vector scientist at Terminix, mosquitoes can breed in as little as a tablespoon of water, so draining all forms of standing water is “imperative for mosquito control.”

Gutters and garden decorations such as fountains, birdbaths and flower pots are common mosquito breeding sites.

Limiting time outdoors in the evening and at night, when mosquitoes are most present in Davidson County, can also help prevent bites, along with using mosquito repellent and long-sleeved shirts, pants and socks.

According to Crawley, dark colors tend to be more attractive to mosquitoes, so lighter-colored clothing is ideal. It is also important to note that some repellents work best on the skin, while others work best when applied directly to clothing.

For more information about mosquito control in Davidson County, call 615-340-5660. You can also find more information at by clicking here.