HUTCHINSON, Kan. —The recent rainfall is certainly ramping up the mosquito population in the area. This has put majority of Kansas in the moderate to high risk of mosquito-borne illnesses such as the West Nile Virus.

Because of this, the Reno County Health Department is providing free mosquito dunks and directions for their proper use.

The larvicide can be placed in standing water to help curb the mosquito population. As always, there are other ways to slow down the insect population. Most notably by draining water out of tire wings, bird baths and wading pools as often as possible. If they can not be drained, the larvicide should help.

If you need any more information, you can contact the health department at 620-694-2900.