County Health Department Offers Free Minnows to New Rochelle Residents through May 9

Written by LANNING TALIAFERRO (Patch Staff)

To eliminate mosquito breeding sites and prevent the spread of West Nile Virus, the Westchester County Health Department will give out free fathead minnows to residents with ornamental ponds today through Saturday.

To keep ornamental ponds from becoming mosquito breeding sites, the county has 200 pounds of fathead minnows to distribute Thursday, May 7 and Friday, May 8, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Residents who want the minnows should bring a bucket or a pail to Loop Road, Building two at the Westchester County Airport. The building is the first right from the airport access road.

“We have distributed thousands of these little larval eating machines over the past two years and I am excited that we are once again sharing with our residents this natural strategy to control the mosquito population,” said Peter DeLucia, Assistant Commissioner for Public Health Protection.

• Related: Westchester to Start West-Nile Prevention Measures Friday

The minnows reduce the mosquito population because they feed on mosquito larvae and pupae before they emerge into adult mosquitoes. They are well suited to ornamental ponds and can help reduce the spread of West Nile Virus because culex pipiens, the mosquito that can be a carrier of West Nile Virus, breeds in standing water, such as ponds and containers. They should be released in ponds that have a minimum of eight to twelve inches of water.

To help prevent mosquitoes from breeding, all residents should also eliminate standing water from around their properties, especially after it rains. Large areas of standing water on public property that cannot easily be removed should be reported to the Health Department by calling (914) 813-5000.

“With the help of residents, together we can reduce the mosquito population and keep cases of West Nile Virus to a minimum,” said Sherlita Amler, MD, Commissioner of Health. “Please survey your property routinely and empty standing water from any discarded tires, unchlorinated swimming pools, outdoor pottery, pails, birdbaths or other containers throughout the spring and summer.”

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