County of Rockland, New York :: Mosquito Control

The Mosquito Control Program - (845) 364-3173

As part of the Center for Environmental Health (CEH), the Mosquito Control Program is a comprehensive program that employs larval mosquito control, mosquito surveillance, public education, and sanitary code enforcement with the goal of reducing the mosquito population within Rockland County. The program provides guidance and education to the public in the form of press releases, mailings and product giveaways. The program also enforces Article XIX of the Rockland County Sanitary Code while working in conjunction with other enforcement programs within the Department of Health. We have been proudly serving Rockland County in this fashion since the West Nile virus outbreak of 1999.

Not ready to open your pool yet? Spring is here, and mosquitoes are looking for leafy stagnant water to lay their eggs. CLICK HERE for more info.

FREE Mosquito Control Product Giveaways - (845) 364-3173

Mosquito Dunks® can be picked up by appointment only at the Center for Environmental Health office - 50 Sanatorium Road, Building D, Pomona - for the treatment of closed or unused private swimming pools. They are available from April 1st through October 31st during normal business hours, while supplies last. PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS.

Mosquito Dunk Pick-up On Demand:
PLEASE NOTE: the Health Department can only provide Mosquito Dunks to owners of private swimming pools/spas. If you have friends or neighbors who are not opening their pool/spa this year, please let them know about our program. Step 1: Please call 845-364-3173 or e-mail us at wnv@co.rockland.ny.us to arrange a pickup. Step 2: CLICK HERE to download and print the Dunk Giveaway Order Form and bring it to your arranged pickup time. Step 3: Call 845-364-3173 upon arrival and a member of our team will bring the dunks to you.

Mosquito Dunk Pick-up On Demand:

PLEASE NOTE: the Health Department can only provide Mosquito Dunks to owners of private swimming pools/spas. If you have friends or neighbors who are not opening their pool/spa this year, please let them know about our program.

Step 1: Please call 845-364-3173 or e-mail us at wnv@co.rockland.ny.us to arrange a pickup.

Step 2: CLICK HERE to download and print the Dunk Giveaway Order Form and bring it to your arranged pickup time.

Step 3: Call 845-364-3173 upon arrival and a member of our team will bring the dunks to you.

Concerned about a property or area of standing water breeding mosquitoes? Let us know! SUBMIT AN ONLINE COMPLAINT

Downloadable Forms / Applications

Fee-Based Mosquito Control Services For:

General Site Area- (construction sites, open foundations)
Permitted Swimming Pools
Residential Swimming Pools
Stormwater Basins

Mosquito Breeding Suppression Plan:

Application for Stormwater Structures- already installed/built
Application for Stormwater Structures- to be installed/built
MBSP Application Instructions

Learn More About Mosquito Control

Downloadable Educational Brochures

Additional Resources

Guidance for the proper use of Mosquito Dunks.
Blank Posting of any biological or chemical treatment made in an attempt to prevent mosquito breeding requires proper posting.
Mosquito Dunk Label for the most commonly used residential larvicide.
Tire Resource Card to know where to dispose of unwanted tires in Rockland County.

Larval Mosquito Control

This aspect of the program focuses on reducing Rockland's mosquito population at the larval stage. Larval control is performed during the spring and summer months through the identification and monitoring of over 1,000 mosquito-breeding sites and approximately 50,000 road-side catch basins throughout the County. These sites are treated on an as-needed basis by Department staff. In an attempt to minimize pesticide use, biological mosquito control is employed in the form of free giveaways to the public. Mosquito Dunks are available (while supplies last) to assist private homeowners with unused or un-maintained swimming pools to eliminate mosquito breeding and to obtain compliance. Additionally, the Department holds a one day give-away of Fathead Minnows (mosquito-eating fish). This event provides a fun way for residents to perform their own mosquito control in the waters of Rockland County.

Larval Control Treatments

Treatments may occur throughout all of Rockland County from April 1-October 31. Treatment areas include, but are not limited to, wetlands, woodland pools, retention basins, unused swimming pools and other water holding receptacles that may be breeding mosquitoes. A copy of the pesticide label will be provided if requested by individuals in the treatment area. If you have any questions, contact the Rockland County Health Department Mosquito Control Program at 845-364-3173 or the NYSDEC Region 3 Office at 845-256-3097.

Treatment Products Routinely Used by RCDOH Mosquito Control Staff:

Inspections/Enforcement

This program conducts routine and complaint-based inspections at many commercial properties that are considered "high risk" for mosquito breeding potential. Properties include tire-storage facilities, landscaper yards, municipal storage yards, outdoor swimming pool facilities, horse farms, marinas, garden centers, etc. Inspectors also respond to complaints against private residential properties. A letter is sent to the owner/occupant of the property of concern to inform about mosquito breeding, educate on the importance of eliminating breeding sources and how to accomplish it as well as a reminder of the Sanitary Code requirements. While conducting an inspection, field staff are authorized to access a private property to look for potential mosquito breeding habitats and/or evidence of mosquito breeding. If mosquito breeding is found, a sample is collected for identification. Whenever education and assistance fails and/or violations are not corrected in a timely manner, Health Department staff may take action to eliminate the mosquito breeding hazard. This Department then has the authority to take legal action, which could lead to an Administrative Hearing and/or financial penalties.

Concerned about a property or area of standing water breeding mosquitoes? Let us know!

SUBMIT A COMPLAINT

Mosquito Surveillance

This aspect of the program focuses on the collection, identification and tracking of mosquito species, both in their adult and larval stages. Mosquito trap sites are located throughout the County and are monitored from June through September. Adult mosquitoes are collected and grouped ("pooled") by location and species. Specimens are submitted weekly to NY State labs to be tested for mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus (WNV). WNV testing results can be viewed on our website. Larval mosquito specimens are sampled from open breeding sites by field staff and are identified by species. Nearly 2,000 samples are identified each season. Enhanced surveillance has now been employed since the 2016 season - using BG-Sentinel 2 traps - to more closely monitor the Asian Tiger Mosquito (Ae. albopictus) due to its possible link to Zika Virus.

Storm Water Plan Reviews (Mosquito Breeding Suppression Plans)

The Rockland County Health Department requires that Mosquito Breeding Suppression Plans (MBSPs) be submitted to and approved by this office at least 30 days prior to construction of a new storm water facility. A storm water facility includes but is not limited to: Detention Basins, Retention Basins, Recharge Basins, Catch Basins, Dry Wells, Level Spreaders and Underground Chambers. The MBSP shall describe actions to be implemented to reduce mosquito breeding potential at all new storm water facilities. Effective actions may include, but are not limited to design standards that prevent breeding, chemical or biological treatment or the installation of an aeration system. Additional information can be found in our Forms and Permits page under Mosquito Control and in Article XIX of the Rockland County Sanitary Code. For additional information, please call 845-364-3173.