West Nile Virus technicians work hard April through October to kill mosquitoes to lower your risk of getting the disease.
Thursday night, we went along with them to see first hand what they do and how it works.
West Nile Virus technicians throughout Central Pennsylvania head out around dusk every evening to spray to kill mosquitoes.
"The end of August and September is when humans are at the greatest risk to contract West Nile," explained Adams County Conservation District West Nile Virus Coordinator Matt Stough.
With record numbers of cases this year, experts have been tracking the affected areas to find out where they should target.
"The traps in this area have come back with high numbers for mosquito populations and they have tested positive for West Nile,” Stough told CBS 21. “We are trying to reduce that number and reduce the risk to people."
Spraying in these areas can cover an entire football field and it's all so mosquitoes won't bite you.
Once the mosquito killer is sprayed, it only takes about 15 minutes to do its job.
"I consider a successful spray one where we see between 60 and 80 percent reduction in the population," commented Stough.
While most cases go unnoticed in humans, some can be extremely serious, even causing death.
"Our sprays are very important,” Stough told us. “Without them a lot more people would be getting sick. It is our responsibility to reduce these populations and protect the residents of our counties."
Experts say the time you're most likely to get bit is within an hour of the sun setting, so if you go outside, wear long sleeves, pants, and put on bug spray.
Thursday night, we went along with them to see first hand what they do and how it works.
West Nile Virus technicians throughout Central Pennsylvania head out around dusk every evening to spray to kill mosquitoes.
"The end of August and September is when humans are at the greatest risk to contract West Nile," explained Adams County Conservation District West Nile Virus Coordinator Matt Stough.
With record numbers of cases this year, experts have been tracking the affected areas to find out where they should target.
"The traps in this area have come back with high numbers for mosquito populations and they have tested positive for West Nile,” Stough told CBS 21. “We are trying to reduce that number and reduce the risk to people."
Spraying in these areas can cover an entire football field and it's all so mosquitoes won't bite you.
Once the mosquito killer is sprayed, it only takes about 15 minutes to do its job.
"I consider a successful spray one where we see between 60 and 80 percent reduction in the population," commented Stough.
While most cases go unnoticed in humans, some can be extremely serious, even causing death.
"Our sprays are very important,” Stough told us. “Without them a lot more people would be getting sick. It is our responsibility to reduce these populations and protect the residents of our counties."
Experts say the time you're most likely to get bit is within an hour of the sun setting, so if you go outside, wear long sleeves, pants, and put on bug spray.