In anticipation of the seasons changing, the Rockland County Health Department will be offering residents free Mosquito Dunks and Fathead Minnows.

Mosquito Dunks®: At the County Health Department, located in Building D, 50 Sanatorium Road in Pomona, from Monday – Friday, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm you can receive a free one month’s supply of Mosquito Dunks®. They are available from April 1st through October 31st, while supplies last. Dunks are small, donut-shaped objects that float on the water’s surface and release bacteria that kill mosquitoes in their larval stage in water, before they become flying, biting adults.

They are for use in closed or unused private swimming pools and spas and are effective for approximately 30 days. A single dunk will treat an area of about 100 square feet. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE LABEL INSTRUCTIONS when using Mosquito Dunks® or any other pesticide. It is important to know the approximate dimensions of your pool/spa to ensure that you get the proper number of dunks for effective treatment.

Fathead Minnows: *Fathead minnows will be available for one day only and they must be ordered in advance. The fish are available for pick-up ONLY on Wednesday, April 17TH from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm at the Health Department, 50 Sanatorium Road in Pomona. Follow the “Free Dunk/Fish” signs from Sanatorium Road to the giveaway location. Please call (845) 364-3173 on April 17th (the day of the event) during normal business hours to make sure that the fish giveaway will take place as scheduled. The Health Department will provide the required permits to allow you to stock the fish within Rockland County. The fish will be in a sealed bag for transport. Please bring a bucket or small cooler. To order the minnows, while supplies last, call (845) 364-3173 or visit HERE . Recommended to get your order in by April 15th.

Fathead minnows are a type of fish that eat mosquito larvae before they become flying, biting adults. They can eat up to 200 mosquito larvae per day. The fish can be placed in unused swimming pools, ornamental ponds, and other similar areas that have a minimum of eight inches of water. It is not necessary to stock streams and rivers with these fish, as mosquitoes generally do not lay eggs in moving water. If fish are already present, it is not necessary to add Fathead minnows, as the existing fish population should provide appropriate mosquito control.

“We encourage residents to take advantage of these free mosquito control products. In addition, to help keep your property mosquito-free be sure to check around your property for any items that can hold water and get rid of the items or empty the water out and scrub the objects at least once a week,” said Dr. Ruppert.

For more information call the Health Department at (845) 364-3173