HUTCHINSON, Kan. — It appears the aerial spraying completed earlier this month to combat the large mosquito population has been successful.

Nick Baldetti, director of the Reno County Health Department, gave an update on the spraying that was done last week. “We were still counting above 2,000 Culex species mosquitoes in traps (before spraying),” Baldetti said. “A week after, or post-spraying, we caught 65.” Baldetti says the number of other species of mosquitoes has declined sharply, too. The Culex mosquito is the one most commonly known to carry West Nile virus, thus the concern for its extremely high population.

Baldetti wanted to thank the county IT Department, Emergency Management and his staff for keeping the public informed on the spraying, especially after several delays because of high wind.

The spraying was fully funded by a federal grant through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.