The buzzing of a truck emitting a white cloud passing by may cause you to retreat into your house, but keep in mind that the chemical being sprayed is helping keep the mosquitos at bay.

In areas where these slow moving vehicles don’t pass through these insects can become a serious nuisance.

Apparently, those efforts within Pearl River County are having positive effects because while the Mississippi State Department of Health has issued a release stating there are 25 confirmed cases of West Nile in the Camellia state, none have been confirmed here.

However, cases have been documented in the counties of Clay, Forrest, Hinds, Leake, Leflore, Lowndes and Rankin. A death associated with West Nile has also been reported in Grenada County, the release states.

It appears from these numbers that cases of the virus are on the rise, since there were 43 cases and two deaths last year.

West Nile is most prevalent from July to September. However, cases have been reported much earlier and later in the year.

Living with mosquitos is part of residing in the South, but there are several steps we all can take to reduce their numbers.

By removing standing water where mosquitos breed, less of these creatures will reach adulthood and increase their numbers.

Sources of standing water can include buckets, old tires, clogged gutters and anything else that holds water for an extended period of time.

The Department of Health also suggests taking the proper precautions when going outside, such as wearing long sleeved clothing and avoiding outdoor activities when mosquito activity is at its peak.

So, while we may avoid being around the clouds emitted by the mosquito trucks, just imagine the number of the bugs without them.