HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Mosquito season has begun and the recent rain has created more breeding grounds. Mosquitoes can spread diseases like West Nile virus and Zika to humans and heartworm to pets.

The Reno County Health Department began working with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Biological Survey to trap and monitor the mosquito population across the county from May through October.

Mosquitoes known to transmit West Nile virus and Zika virus were trapped.

To protect yourself, remember the three D’s: drain, dress and DEET.

That means eliminate standing water where mosquitoes breed, cover your skin with clothing when you are outside — especially at dawn and dusk — and use insect repellent that contains DEET.