FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Department of Agriculture has joined forces with other state agencies to combat the unprecedented mosquito infestation in western Kentucky that resulted from record rain and flooding in April.

Following a successful mission to reduce the adult mosquito population, the operation will enter a new phase beginning the week of June 6 when the Department and its partner agencies apply larvicide in locations throughout the region in an attempt to control future populations of adult mosquitoes.

The Transportation Cabinet, the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, the Department of Parks, the Finance and Administration Cabinet, the Department for Local Government, and the University of Kentucky are working with us to provide the resources and staffing needed to carry out this mission. We are pleased to partner with our sister agencies to address this nuisance.

A contractor hired by the state conducted aerial mosquito control applications over more than 700,000 acres in western Kentucky in late May. The contractor, a business with global credentials in mosquito control, worked in consultation with experts in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Division of Environmental Services. By all accounts, adult mosquito infestations in the targeted areas were reduced dramatically as a result of this operation.

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture and our sister agencies will continue to monitor the situation in advance of the traditional peak mosquito season in late summer. The mosquito varieties that emerge in late August and September are more prone to carry diseases such as West Nile Virus. We will do everything in our power to protect the people of Kentucky from this annoying and potentially harmful infestation.

The Department treats for mosquitoes at the request of local officials. The products the Department uses are rigorously tested and degrade quickly. To see a mosquito spraying schedule, go to the Department’s website, www.kyagr.com. To seek assistance with a mosquito infestation, contact your county judge-executive, mayor or local health department.