SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – The West Nile Virus first impacted South Dakota in 2001. Since then there have been 53 deaths caused by mosquitoes carrying the virus according to the South Dakota Department of Health. It’s one of the reasons why the Sioux Falls’ Mosquito Control Program routinely tests and sprays for those pesky insects.

“We’re not focusing just on those mosquitoes that can carry West Nile. It’s every mosquito. They’re not our friend,” Dominic Miller, environmental health manager, of the Sioux Falls Health Department, said.

This summer their team of about 20 will be out spraying for mosquitoes throughout the city.

“With the amount of moisture that we’ve had this year. It’s tracking very, very closely to what they’ve seen in the past,” Miller said.

The city also sets out traps that are taken to a lab and tested for the West Nile Virus weekly.

“They will literally count every single mosquito in that trap, and they will also identify down to genus and species what each mosquito is,” Miller said.

The city also looks for potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and especially treat those areas.

“If we can eliminate the mosquito before it’s an adult and flying around and potentially causing people to get sick and certainly impacting our quality of life,” Miller said.

Miller says there are a few simple things people can do to protect themselves.

“The importance of using mosquito repellent, wearing some long-sleeved shirts and pants and things, especially around the times of the day where mosquitoes are most active early morning and sunset,” Miller said.

So far this year, the team has not found any mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile. But it’s just a matter of time until they do. Along with neighborhoods, crews will spray city parks and trails at least once a week.

Click here to find out which zone you live in and to get alerts on spray schedules in Sioux Falls.