The Litchfield Street Department has begun spraying for mosquitoes, a practice that will continue through the end of summer.

Spraying will be conducted each week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, weather permitting. It will be done inside city limits and will take place on those days from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Even though mosquitoes that carry the West Nile virus prefer hot and dry conditions, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Izike says nuisance mosquitoes -- which don't carry diseases -- can still pose a threat, as a bite can become infected if it is scratched and becomes a wound.

Recommended precautions include avoiding outdoors between dusk and dawn, wearing light clothing over all exposed skin and using approved repellant.