Kentucky Mosquito Season: When It Ends and How Long the Insects Survive

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky — As summer fades into fall, many Kentuckians are asking the same question: When will mosquito season finally end?

The answer depends on temperature. Mosquitoes thrive when it’s warm and humid, and experts say climate change is already stretching the season longer across the state.

When Is Mosquito Season in Kentucky?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says mosquito season runs from summer through fall, lasting longer in southern states like Kentucky.

In Louisville, the season has already lengthened by about 16 days between 1979 and 2022, according to Climate Central data.

At What Temperature Do Mosquitoes Become Inactive?

• Active: Mosquitoes are most active when temperatures are between 60°F and 80°F.
• Inactive: They begin to shut down once temps consistently drop below 50°F.
• Winter survival: While adult mosquitoes die in the cold, their eggs can survive freezing conditions until spring, restarting the cycle.

How Long Do Mosquitoes Live?

• Males: Feed only on nectar and live briefly after mating.
• Females: The ones that bite — can live up to four weeks in ideal summer conditions.

Why Mosquitoes Bite Humans

Mosquitoes feed on blood from both animals and people, but humans remain a favorite target. Females bite to stimulate egg production, guided by sight, smell, body heat, and carbon dioxide.

Fun fact: People wearing dark clothing, breathing heavily, or moving around outdoors at dusk are more likely to get bitten.

Protecting Yourself From Mosquitoes

Kentucky health officials recommend:

• Eliminating standing water in buckets, tires, and cans where mosquitoes breed.
• Avoiding outdoor activity at dawn and dusk, peak feeding times.
• Wearing long sleeves and pants.
• Using EPA-approved insect repellents when outside.

West Nile Virus Concerns in 2025

Mosquitoes are more than a nuisance — they also carry disease. In early August, one person in Louisville tested positive for West Nile virus, the leading mosquito-borne disease in the U.S. Mosquitoes carrying the virus were detected in neighborhoods including Old Louisville, Irish Hill, California, Iroquois, Churchill Downs, Tyler Park, and the Highlands.

As temperatures begin to cool this fall, Kentucky residents can expect mosquito activity to drop sharply once the mercury dips below 50°F. Until then, prevention remains the best defense.

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