Mosquito Control
07/02/2008 - Mosquito Control Larviciding Information (updated 7/3)
05/01/2008 - Mosquito Trapping for West Nile Virus Begins in Nassau County
West Nile Virus Positive By Town 2007
West Nile Virus General Information
To discuss a mosquito problem, stagnant water or drainage problem please phone the Nassau County Department of Public Works (DPW) Mosquito Control at:
572-1166
Monday through Friday from 7:45am until 3:30pm.
The Nassau County Department of Public Works (DPW) is responsible for mosquito control. This includes inspecting breeding sites and when necessary, applying larvicide.
For information concerning West Nile Virus activity call Nassau County Health Department Mosquito Surveillance at:
572-1211
Monday through Friday from 7:45am until 3:30pm.
The Nassau County Health Department conducts mosquito and West Nile Virus surveillance activities. Mosquito surveillance will continue at forty-two (42) trap sites throughout the County.
To report a dead bird, please phone either the toll-free state hot line at 1-866-537-2473, Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM or NCDH Mosquito Surveillance at 572-1211 Monday through Friday from 7:45 am - 3:30 pm.. Since dead birds may provide an indication of the presence of West Nile Virus activity in an area, residents are asked to report dead bird sightings. Be advised that most of the reported birds will not be collected for laboratory analysis.
This web site will be updated as needed.
Mosquito Fact Sheet
What are mosquitoes?
Mosquitoes are small flying insects with an annoying high-pitched buzz, which feed upon plant juices or the blood of birds, humans or other animals in order to lay eggs.
What is their health significance?
Mosquitoes are generally categorized as a nuisance pest. Their bite can be painful, usually followed by redness, swelling and itching. Most mosquitoes do not transmit disease. In 1999, West Nile Virus (WNV), a disease carried by mosquitoes, was identified in Nassau County. Symptoms usually occur 5-15 days after the bite. Most people have no symptoms or may experience only a slight fever or headache. Severe infections result in encephalitis with high fever, headache, confusion, muscle aches, and weakness, seizures, or paralysis. Those who may be most susceptible are the elderly. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for West Nile Virus; supportive care is provided until symptoms subside.
Where do mosquitoes live and breed?
The Culex pipiens mosquito, also known as the "common house mosquito", is the primary vector (transmitter) of WNV. It lives and breeds in our own backyards, wherever water can accumulate and stand for more than 4 days. Old tires, tin cans, rain gutters, pool covers, children's toys, plant pots, boats, birdbaths, and any other object that collects rainwater can become mosquito breeding sites. Weeds, tall grass, and shrubbery provide a home for adult mosquitoes to rest.
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Old tire with stagnant water is possible breeding site. |
Mosquitoes can breed in pool covers that hold rain water |
Old tire with stagnant water is possible breeding site. Mosquitoes can breed in clogged rain gutters
When are mosquitoes most active?
Culex pipiens, the mosquito most associated with WNV, is most active from dusk to dawn when the air is warm and calm. However, mosquitoes may be present at any time of the day or night.
Culex pipiens mosquitoes that can carry West Nile Virus usually do not travel more than 200 feet from their original breeding site. Therefore, to control these mosquitoes, we need the cooperation of all Nassau County residents to eliminate mosquito breeding sites on private property.
Pool covers that hold rain water and leaves can breed mosquitoes in your own back yard.
What can you do to protect yourself?
Continue your everyday activities such as outdoor sports, gardening, walking, etc.
However:
Avoid areas with high mosquito populations
Replace outdoor lights with yellow "bug" lights.
Wear a hat, socks, loose fitting long pants and long sleeved shirt.
Install screens on windows and doors, and make sure all existing screens are in good repair.
If desired, carefully apply a mosquito repellent according to the directions found on the container. When overused or used improperly, repellents may cause allergic and toxic reactions.
REMEMBER, DO NOT ALLOW CHILDREN TO APPLY REPELLENTS TO THEMSELVES
What can you do to help?
- Remove or empty standing water from old tires, garbage cans, pails, children's toys or any object that can hold water.
- Keep swimming pools chlorinated and their covers free of stagnant water.
- Clean and unclog rain gutters to keep them draining properly.
- Change the water in bird baths every two or three days.
- Avoid using bug zappers since they also kill beneficial insects.
What is Nassau County doing to prevent and control mosquitoes?
The Nassau County Department of Public Works (DPW) is responsible for mosquito control, they perform the following services:
- Respond to citizen complaints concerning mosquitoes or their breeding sites.
- Monitor and treat with larvicides, when appropriate, 650 recharge basins (sumps), 200 miles of fresh water streams, 70,000 street basins, and 50 ponds.
- Check suspect breeding sites by "dipping," which entails scooping water from potential breeding areas to see if larvae are present.
- Maintain the "ditches" on the County's south shore which allows killifish (or other predatory fish) to reach and consume mosquito eggs, larvae and pupae.
- Work with the U.S. Division of Fish & Wildlife, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Ducks Unlimited, and the Town of Oyster Bay to enhance wildlife (predatory birds and fish) in the JFK Sanctuary, located at Jones Beach.
The Nassau County Health Department conducts mosquito and West Nile Virus surveillance which includes the following activities:
Trap adult mosquitoes on at least 40 sites to identify their species, areas of infestation, to estimate their population, the presence of disease, and effectiveness of control efforts.
Record dead bird reports, and collect and test a few selected specimens within 24 hours of their death to see if they are carrying WNV. (A mosquito may bite a bird that carries WNV and then spread the virus by biting a human.)
When mosquitoes are trapped by Environmental Health personnel, the NCDH Lab identifies the species and sends them to the NYS Department of Health for viral testing. All cases of suspect or confirmed encephalitis, including West Nile Virus, are closely followed by the NCDH Disease Control staff. These cases, human or animal, are thoroughly investigated to determine the source of the infection.
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Laboratory identification of mosquito species. |
"Bombardier" maintaining a ditch on the south shore. |
Nassau County Departments of Public Works (DPW) and Health (NCDH) work together:
If virus activity is found, an informed decision on the necessary strategy will be made at that time in cooperation with other levels of government. The preferred application of an adulticide (adult mosquito control) is ground spraying. Aerial spraying will be used only as a last resort.
The Nassau County Mosquito Program is coordinating with New York State, New York City, and other counties affected by West Nile Virus, to ensure a regional approach to mosquito control.
The key to controlling mosquitoes is to remove the standing water in which they breed before they become flying, biting adults. The County is taking aggressive steps to do so on public lands, and needs the public to help by eliminating standing water on private property. If we work together, locally and regionally, we can control mosquito-borne diseases and minimize the use of adult mosquito controls including aerial spraying.
Important Telephone Numbers
To discuss a mosquito problem, stagnant water or drainage problem please phone Nassau County Department of Public Works (DPW) Mosquito Control Monday through Friday from 7:45am until 3:30pm at:
572-1166
To report a dead bird, please phone the toll-free state hot line Monday through Friday from 8:00am until 4:30pm at:
1-866-537-2473
You may also call Nassau County Health Department Mosquito Surveillance at 572-1211, Monday Through Friday from 7:45am until 3:30pm.
For information concerning West Nile Virus activity call Nassau County Health Department Mosquito Surveillance Monday Through Friday from 7:45am until 3:30pm at:
572-1211
Additional West Nile Virus websites:
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