County Executive vows to attack problem early to try to avoid aerial spraying

County Executive Andrew J. Spano today announced that New York State health officials this week have been working with Westchester County Health Department staff to survey potential mosquito breeding sites and collect over-wintering mosquitoes for testing.

"We are pleased that the New York State Department of Health has joined us to determine whether the West Nile virus has survived the winter in our area," said Spano. "It is important for us to know where mosquitoes breed and to eliminate them early on so we can avoid aerial spraying this season.''

In January, the County Executive released details of Operation Mosquito S.T.I.N.G. (Stop The Insects’ Next Generation), the County program, which emphasizes prevention of illnesses associated with the possible recurrence of West Nile virus. In addition to removing mosquito breeding grounds, the program emphasizes preventing mosquito larvae (or immature mosquitoes) from hatching into adult mosquitoes; surveillance to rapidly detect infection in humans, animals, and mosquitoes; and education and outreach to the public.

"It is important that every sector of our County -- schools, municipalities, businesses, and residents -- join together to reduce mosquito breeding grounds," said Mr. Spano.

The Westchester County Department of Health and other county agencies are working in conjunction with federal and state officials to monitor and prevent the reemergence of West Nile virus

in Westchester County. Plans include a comprehensive mosquito surveillance program to identify and remove any mosquito breeding areas, monitoring and testing mosquitoes and birds to detect and remove problems as early as possible.

To date, County officials have held meetings with school and municipal officials to put in place ways to identify and eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites and to conduct active surveillance of mosquitoes. The County has also formed partnerships with health care providers, hospitals and neighborhood health centers to ensure the early identification of human cases of West Nile encephalitis.

Mosquitoes need stagnant or standing water to lay their eggs. To reduce the mosquito population around your home and property, reduce or eliminate all stagnant water. The following are ways residents can help control or eliminate mosquito breeding ground in and around the home:

• Remove unnecessary water containers, especially old tires, cans, buckets, drums, wheelbarrows and bottles.

• Cover trash containers to keep out rain.

• Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.

• Ensure that your home has tight-fitting screens over windows and doors to keep mosquitoes from entering apartments and homes. Be sure that all screens are in good repair.

• Clean roof gutters and remove standing water from flat roofs.

• Remove standing water from your basement.

• Place a couple of capfuls of household bleach in your basement sump-pump pit if it has standing water.

• Keep drains, culverts and streams on your property clean of weeds and trash so that the water will drain properly.

• Make sure stored boat covers are completely drained. Store small boats upside down.

• Drain the water in birdbaths, plant pots and drip trays twice a week.

• Keep grass cut short and trim shrubs to eliminate hiding places for adult mosquitoes.

• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. Be sure rainwater does not collect on pool, sauna or hot tub covers. You should disinfect the cover with bleach to kill larvae and eggs.

• Clean vegetation and debris from the edges of ponds.

• Fill in hollow tree stumps and rot holes that hold water with sand or concrete.

• Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are kept outdoors.

For more information, contact the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000 or visit or website at www.westchestergov.com/health.