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BOONE COUNTY, MO. -- Local health officials say spring flooding has produced a summer mosquito problem in many parts of the KRCG viewing area.

Recent floodwaters allowed millions of dormant floodwater mosquito eggs to mature and attack area neighborhoods.

Boone County health officials have been spraying for mosquitoes every Friday morning since May 27.  The mosquito problem is worse this year because of an infestation of floodwater mosquitoes.  These larger, more aggressive mosquitoes lay their eggs on dry land and can lay dormant for years.  When floodwaters moisten the eggs, like they did this spring, millions of floodwater mosquitoes mature all at once.

Health officials said you can protect yourself from mosquitoes by keeping your gutters clean, getting rid of any standing water and using insect repellent that contains the chemical DEET.

The bugs have more than just a nasty bite.  Mosquitoes can transmit several diseases including the West Nile Virus.

Boone County Health Department Environmental Health Director Gerry Worley said, “People should protect themselves.  They should not go out in the evening when mosquitoes are more active.  If they do, they should wear DEET or some protection so they don’t get eaten up with the mosquitoes.”

Worley said this year’s mosquito problem could get worse as floodwaters continue to rise in Mid-Missouri throughout the summer.

Cole County health officials are in the process of collecting information on mosquito populations.

Cole County Public Works Department employees are continuing to spray insecticides in mosquito-populated neighborhoods.