Rockland County Offers Free Mosquito Control Products

From Rockland County:

To help county residents reduce the number of mosquitoes on their property, Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert announce the availability of free mosquito control products.

Mosquito Dunks® contain bacteria that kill mosquitoes in their larval stage in water before they become flying, biting adults. They are exclusively for homeowner swimming pool use. Dunks should be placed in swimming pool covers or in open swimming pools that are not being disinfected and filtered. Residents are invited to come to the health department, located at Building D, 50 Sanatorium Rd. in Pomona, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for their free Mosquito Dunks®. They are available until Monday, Oct. 31 while supplies last. Interested residents must know the size of their pool when coming to pick up their dunks.

Fathead Minnows are a type of fish that eat mosquito larvae before they become flying, biting adults. They can eat up to 200 mosquito larvae per day. The minnows should be released in areas that have at least eight inches to 12 inches of water, such as an ornamental pond. One does not need to stock streams and rivers with these minnows, since mosquitoes generally do not lay eggs in moving water. Fathead minnows are unnecessary if fish are already in the water, as other fish should provide control. Interested residents must visit the Rockland County website or contact (845) 364-3173 to order their minnows while supplies last. Orders must be made by Friday, April 15.

The fish are available for pick-up only on Wednesday, April 20 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the health department. Purchasers may contact the department on Wednesday, April 20 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to make sure the fish giveaway will take place as scheduled. The Health Department will provide all the correct permits to allow you to stock the fish within Rockland County. The fish will be in a sealed bag for transport. Purchasers must bring a bucket or small cooler.

"Mosquitoes are more than a annoying pest; they can carry several diseases, including West Nile Virus and dog heartworm. There is a small risk that the Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus), which we have in Rockland, may be able to carry and spread the Zika Virus," said Ruppert.

Residents are encouraged to help keep their property mosquito-free by checking around their properties for items that can hold water and to get rid of the items or empty the water out and scrub the objects at least once per week.