Mosquito Control and Surveillance

Mosquito Control and Surveillance

The Health Department and the Department of Public Works work together to help control the spread of mosquitoes through surveillance of mosquito breeding areas, preventing the development of adult mosquitoes, trapping adult mosquitoes, responding to complaints, treating infested areas and testing the trapped mosquitoes for presence of disease.

Nassau County Department of Health conducts mosquito surveillance activities at 44 trap sites throughout the County. 

Surveillance activities include:

• Collecting, identifying species, and sending to New York State Department of Health laboratory for viral testing
• Determining population distribution
• Thoroughly investigating all cases of suspect or confirmed West Nile virus, Zika virus, and other mosquito-borne diseases to determine the source of infection.

Take the following precautions to prevent being bitten by mosquitos and reduce exposure to mosquito-borne illness: 

• Cover your skin as completely as possible when outside when mosquitoes are present and active. Wear long sleeves, pants and socks.
• Use insect repellent on exposed skin and follow label directions.
• Make sure there are screens in your home's windows and doors. Make sure the screens are free of rips, tears and holes.
• Eliminate all standing water on and around your home and property where mosquitoes can breed.

Transmission Cycles of Mosquito-Borne Diseases

Source: CDC

he virus is transmitted between forest dwelling mosquitoes and non-human primates and the epidemic or urban cycle where the virus circulates between Aedes species mosquitoes and humans. There is a line showing how the virus can move between the cycles.

Source: CDC

Nassau County Department of Public Works (DPW) is responsible for mosquito control, which includes the application of larvicides and adulticides. DPW monitors thousands of street basins, sumps, ponds, and hundreds of miles of freshwater streams. Breeding sites are inspected for the presence of larvae. Ditches are maintained on the County's south shore which allow fish to reach and consume mosquito eggs, larvae and pupae. DPW will continue aerial applications of larvicide in the non-populated areas on the south shore salt marshes to control populations of salt marsh mosquitoes. Nassau County Department of Public Works (DPW) responds to mosquito or stagnant water problems. To report a problem, please phone DPW's Mosquito Control Unit at (516) 571-6900.

Additional Resources

Mosquitoes and Disease Brochure

Mosquito Surveillance and Control Report 2022

West Nile Virus in Nassau County, 2014 - 2023