Ritchie Announces Tool To Help Fight Mosquitoes Available For Free At Local Soil And Water Conservation Offices

State Senator Patty Ritchie today announced that free "dunk" kits containing larvicide that kills potentially disease-carrying mosquitoes in standing water and helps prevent the spread of diseases like EEE and West Nile Virus are now available to Central and Northern New York residents at local Soil and Water Conservation District offices.

These “dunk” kits–which are available from special state funding secured by Senator Ritchie–are accessible to homeowners on a first-come first-serve basis.  The kits, when placed in standing water where mosquitos can breed like flowering pots, rain barrels, roof gutters, troughs, unused pools, bird baths and tree holes, can kill mosquito larvae for up to thirty days. 

Due to this spring’s damaging flooding along the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario, there is the potential for a larger than normal hatch of mosquitos.  These “dunk” kits will assist property owners in combating the increased risk of mosquito borne illnesses.  

“With the weather now getting warmer, standing water is becoming a breeding ground for mosquitos that can carry deadly diseases like EEE and West Nile,” said Senator Ritchie.  I’m pleased to deliver this funding for to make these ‘dunk’ kits available to area residents free of charge, which in turn will help prevent any future tragedies and save lives.” 

Residents are encouraged to contact their County Soil and Water Conservation District office for more information on the larvicide kits:

Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District

21168 County Route 232

Watertown, NY 13601

315-782-2749

St. Lawrence County Soil and Water Conservation District

1942 Old Canton Road

Canton, NY 13617

315-379-2377

Oswego County Soil and Water Conservation District

3105 State Route 3

Fulton, NY 13069

315-592-9663

This is the latest effort by Senator Ritchie to help protect residents across Central and Northern New York from mosquito borne illnesses.  Since 2011, Senator Ritchie has delivered $1 million in funding to help fight disease-carrying mosquitoes in Central and Northern New York, including funding free tire collection events to cut down on sources for mosquitoes, providing additional funding for counties for mosquito control, creating an education program to increase awareness and creating a special panel of experts to study cures for mosquito-borne illness.

In addition, Senator Ritchie has also hosted numerous “Tire Take Back” events across the three county region, offering a chance for residents to dispose of waste tire at no cost, as these tires can act as a breeding ground for mosquitos. 

More “Tire Take Back” events are scheduled to occur in Oswego County at all five transfer stations on Saturday, June 17 from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m.  Also, Jefferson County residents will be able to dispose of unwanted waste tires on Saturday, June 10 from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. and the Town of Adams Highway Department, located at 13269 Victory Lane in Adams Center.