Health

NEW CITY, NY, – Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert announce the availability of free Mosquito Control Products for the 2022 season to help County residents reduce the number of mosquitoes on their property.

Mosquito Dunks® will be available, free of charge, for pickup at the Robert L. Yeager Health Complex, 50 Sanatorium Road in Pomona (10970). Dunks can 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. Visit the Mosquito Control Program webpage for details and to download a printable Order Form. It is important to know the approximate dimensions of your closed/unused pool/spa to ensure that you get the correct number of dunks for effective treatment. Please bring the completed and signed form to the pickup location on the arranged day and time.

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. The Health Department provides them to County residents to use in closed or unused private swimming pools and spas. Dunks are effective on wet surfaces for approximately 30 days. A single dunk will treat an area of about 100 square feet of standing water. Always follow the label instructions when using Mosquito Dunks® or any other pesticide.

The Health Department plans to have Fathead minnows available for a one-day-only giveaway in May at the Robert L. Yeager Health Complex, 50 Sanatorium Road, Pomona. The date of the giveaway is still to be determined. Please visit the Mosquito Control Program webpage regularly for updates. You can pre-order the minnows now online, download a printable Order Form, or call 845-364-3173.

Fathead minnows are small fish that eat mosquito larvae before they become flying, biting adults. They can eat up to 200 mosquito larvae per day. These minnows can be placed in unused swimming pools, ornamental ponds, and other similar areas that have a minimum of eight inches of water. It is not necessary to stock these fish in streams and rivers, as mosquitoes do not typically lay eggs in moving water. If frogs, salamanders, and/or other fish are already present in the area of concern, it is unnecessary to add the minnows, as the existing animal population should provide appropriate mosquito control.

“The Mosquito Dunks® & fathead minnow giveaways are a perfect way for all of us to take action to help control the mosquito population and protect ourselves and the community from vector-borne diseases. We encourage residents to take advantage of these free mosquito control products. Remember, the most effective mosquito control begins in your own backyard, so be sure to check around your property for any items that can hold water and store them in a manner that prevents them from collecting water,” said Dr. Ruppert.

“I applaud our Health Department for going above and beyond to protect Rockland residents against all threats, including mosquitos,” said County Executive Ed Day. “This program will help communities control mosquito populations while reducing the threat of vector-borne diseases.”

For more information, visit the Rockland County Health Department Mosquito Control Program webpage at http://bit.ly/2aXY0E4