A message from our Suffolk County Vector Control and the Fishers Island Conservancy
MOSQUITOS!
Mosquito Control can be very difficult but it is necessary to rid our homes of nasty bites and stop the spread of certain mosquito related health problems. We can only eliminate these nasty pests if we can eliminate all breeding sources. For over 30 years the Suffolk County Vector Control has managed our mosquito program on Fishers Island in conjunction with the Fishers Island Conservancy. We presently inspect and treat over 150 recognized “stagnant” bodies of water on the island that include many ponds, marshes, and ditches.
You too can help eliminate mosquito breeding sources around your home and property by making sure to:
- Check your yard at least weekly for standing water in containers and DUMP THE WATER! Mosquitoes need standing water to reproduce;
- Dispose of old tarps, cans, containers, buckets and similar water-holding containers;
- Discard old tires on your property as tires are a major mosquito breeding source;
- Drill water drainage holes in the bottom of garbage pails;
- Make sure roof gutters drain properly, check and clean clogged gutters on a regular basis;
- Turn over or dump water from plastic kiddie pools, toys and wheelbarrows when not in use;
- Change the water in birdbaths at least weekly;
- Clean vegetation and debris from the edges of backyard ponds, add fish and circulate the water;
- Keep shrubs and grass trimmed so adult mosquitoes will not rest in your yard;
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools and hot tubs;
- Drain water from pool covers often.
This summer the Fishers Island Conservancy has again engaged island residents Jared Kaplan and Jessica Griswold to do our mosquito control. You may see them in a driveway near you in the distinctive green pickup with sticker on the door. Say Hi. Ask questions. The FI Conservancy can also be reached by contacting Geb Cook @gebcook@comcast.net.
Please Note:
Dead birds found on your property may indicate the presence of West Nile virus in the area. To report dead birds, call the West Nile virus hotline in Suffolk County at 631-787-2200 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday during the summer months.
The Asian Tiger Mosquito is rapidly spreading across Suffolk County and may be in your yard! Look for it: small (about ¼”) black mosquito with bright white stripes on the legs, back and head that bites mainly in the daytime, often bites the feet, ankles or lower legs. This mosquito lays eggs in backyard containers that hold rainwater, so please dump the water!
For additional information, check the Suffolk County website: www.suffolkcountyny.gov
