HARLINGEN – The city of Harlingen is taking precautions against the Zika virus by spraying after the recent rain.

Officials said the standing water and high humidity left behind by the rain are perfect for mosquitoes to breed.

Josh Ramirez, the environmental health director for the city of Harlingen, said they're already preparing for a surge in the mosquito population.

“Well, we began to set up traps and evaluate the needs of the city, especially those pocket areas that we know that where all the mosquitoes. So we have some traps to collect mosquitoes, identify the species of mosquitoes and then begin the spraying plans,” said Ramirez.

He reminds homeowners to dump out any stagnant water outside of their homes. 

The public should also cut down their grass in their yard to about found inches.