Health Department Offers Free Mosquito Control Products to Rocklanders

COUNTY PRESS RELEASE

Pomona, NY – To help County residents reduce the number of mosquitoes on their property, the Rockland County Department of Health offers the following 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 for homeowner swimming pool use ONLY. Dunks should be placed in swimming pool covers or in open swimming pools that are not being disinfected and filtered.  Come to the Health Department, Building D, 50 Sanatorium Road in Pomona, Mondays – Fridays, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for your free Mosquito Dunks®.  They are available until October 31, while supplies last.  It is important to know the size of your pool when coming to pick up your 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 8 inches to 12 inches of water, such as an ornamental pond. You do not need to stock streams and rivers with these minnows, since mosquitoes generally do not lay eggs in moving water. Also, if fish are already in the water, then fathead minnows are not needed, as other fish should provide control.

• To order the minnows, while supplies last, call 845-364-3173 or visit http://rocklandgov.com/departments/health/environmental-health/mosquito-control/fathead-minnow-information/
• The minnows can only be picked-up on Wednesday, April 30 from 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Health Department, 50 Sanatorium Road in Pomona. Follow the “Free Dunk/Fish” signs from Sanatorium Road to the giveaway location.  Call 845-364-3173 on Wednesday, April 30 between 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. to make sure that 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.  Please bring a bucket or small cooler.

“Mosquitoes can carry several diseases, including West Nile Virus and dog heartworm.  In addition to using these mosquito control products, we urge all residents to check your property for ANY items outside that can hold water, since this is where mosquitoes prefer to breed.  Get rid of the items or empty the water out at least once a week,” said Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert, Rockland County Commissioner of Health.

For more information visit http://rocklandgov.com/departments/health/environmental-health/mosquito-control/ or call the Health Department at 845-364-3173.