The Rockland County Department of Health will be treating catch basins and storm drains to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in standing water inside of these structures. This work will be performed throughout the County beginning May 6, 2024 and will be completed by early June.
“Our annual mosquito control treatments to catch basins and storm drains help to control the mosquito population and protect the community from diseases mosquitoes can carry, like West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE),” said Amy Isenberg, Environmental Health Specialist, Mosquito Program Coordinator.
Please be patient if you see Health Department staff on the roads driving slowly in County vehicles doing these treatments. Also, try to avoid parking over storm drains while these employees are doing the treatment work so that they can access the catch basins more easily.
Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing (still) water. The eggs hatch into larvae that develop in the water for 7 to 10 days before emerging as adult mosquitoes that fly and bite. Residents can help by regularly checking your property for ANY items that can hold standing water, such as plant saucers, dog bowls, and birdbaths, and replace them with fresh water daily. Remove objects around your yard that collect water. Anything you choose to keep outside, such as kids’ toys, buckets, wading pools, canoes, and wheelbarrows, should be flipped over when not used to prevent them from collecting any water.
The Health Department is also offering the following free mosquito control products to help County residents reduce the number of mosquitoes on your property:
Mosquito Dunks® are available for pickup at the Robert L. Yeager Health Complex, 50 Sanatorium Road in Pomona. Mosquito Dunks® are small, donut-shaped objects that float on standing water and release bacteria that kill mosquitoes before they can become flying, biting adults, for use in closed or unused private swimming pools and spas. Dunks must be ordered in advance by calling 845-364-3173 or e-mailing wnv@co.rockland.ny.us to arrange a date and time for pickup, while supplies last.
Fathead minnows are available for a one-day-only giveaway on Wednesday, May 8th, from 4:30-6:00 pm at the Robert L. Yeager Health Complex, 50 Sanatorium Road in Pomona. Fathead minnows are small fish that eat mosquito larvae before they become flying, biting adults, and can be placed in unused swimming pools, ornamental ponds, and other similar areas that have a minimum of eight inches of water. You can reserve the minnows online, e-mailing wnv@co.rockland.ny.us to receive a printable order form, or by calling 845-364-3173.
For more information, call the Health Department at 845-364-3173 or visit our Mosquito Control webpage.