Mosquito counts are down compared to this time last year in Gloucester, Wes McIntyre, who heads the county’s mosquito control program, said Friday.

There’s often “a lull” in mosquito counts this time of year, McIntyre said. However, there’s still regular activity recorded at traps and landing counts taken by the two mosquito control drivers to justify regular spraying for the winged pests.

To improve the program, McIntyre said he plans to hire one or two backup drivers to give the two, regular part-time drivers a break. Training will be provided.

About two dozen types of mosquitoes are seen in Gloucester, McIntyre said, with some biting people and others biting only animals. There have been no recorded cases of Zika virus here, McIntyre said, but the Asian tiger mosquito that carries Zika is among mosquitoes found locally.

As warranted, drivers can spray an area once or twice a week. If weather permits, spraying of the compounds Duet or Biomist is plan...