THORNTON, Colo. -- A higher than normal number of mosquitoes infected with West Nile Virusare taking a bite out of Adams County. Health officials there say the infection rates among mosquitoes are some of the highest they've seen.

"Normally we see about 40 to 50 percent that come back as the type that carry West Nile. Now, 85 to 90 percent are testing positive as possible carriers," said Tony Stilwell with Colorado Mosquito Control.

The unusually high numbers are likely due to the current extended heat wave Colorado is experiencing.

"Instead of mosquitoes hatching in 5 to 7 days, they're coming out in 3 to 4 days," said Michael "Doc" Weissmann, surveillance manager with Colorado Mosquito Control.

Weissmann said Colorado Mosquito Control has hundreds of traps throughout the state, and many of the traps in Adams County are catching the types of mosquitoes that are common carriers of West Nile.

In Colorado, because of the arid climate, mosquitoes seek shelter in the shade during the day, and are most active from about dusk to midnight according to Weissmann.

"There gonna go out looking for a blood meal as soon as the sun goes down," Weissmann said.

Because of the higher than normal infection rates being found in mosquitoes, technicians are conducting West Nile Virus emergency 'fogging' applications.

Spraying started in some neighborhoods Tuesday night, with additional applications scheduled for Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights.