The Westchester County Department of Health reminds residents to dump out standing water on their property after it rains, and to use insect repellents when outdoors in the early morning and late afternoon to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes that could carry West Nile Virus.
People only get West Nile Virus when they are bitten by a mosquito that has bitten an infected bird. To protect our community, we are asking residents to help reduce the mosquito population.
To help eliminate mosquito breeding grounds:
- Remove from around your home and neighborhood anything that might hold standing water. For example: old tires, buckets and wheelbarrows.
- Cover outdoor trash containers to keep rainwater from accumulating inside
- Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers that are left outdoors.
- Drain water in birdbaths, plant pots and drip trays twice a week.
- Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas and hot tubs. Keep them empty and covered if not in use; drain water that collects on pool covers.
- Residents who notice large areas of standing water on public property should report this to the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000.
To reduce your risk of mosquito bites:
- Avoid being outdoors in places and during times where and when mosquitoes are active and feeding.
- Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
- Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE), or IR3535. Always use as directed.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women can use all EPA-registered insect repellents, including DEET, according to the product label.
- Most repellents, including DEET, can be used on children aged >2 months.
- Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). You can buy pre-treated clothing and gear or treat them yourself.
- Stay and sleep in screened-in or air-conditioned rooms.
- Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens and repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.
The United States Department of Agriculture and the Westchester County Health Department are no longer taking reports of dead birds or submitting birds for West Nile virus testing.
If you find a dead bird, please dispose of it properly. To dispose of a dead bird:
- Use gloves and a double layer of plastic trash bags to pick up the bird.
- Using your gloved hands and a doubled trash bag, enclose the dead bird in the bags.
- Close and tie the bags and dispose in the trash or as directed by your municipality.
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water.
West Nile virus is not transmissible via touching a dead bird. A person must be bitten by an infected mosquito for transmission to occur. If you have any questions please contact the Westchester County Health Department at (914) 813-5000.
West Nile Virus Positive Mosquito Batches 2015
Number of Positive
|Yonkers||1||July 30, 2015|
|Greenburgh||1||July 30, 2015|
|Rye||1||August 5, 2015|
|Hastings-on-Hudson||1||August 5, 2015|
|Mt. Vernon||1||August 6, 2015|
|Rye Brook||1||August 18, 2015|
|Town of Mamaroneck||1||August 11, 2015|
|Yonkers||4||August 19, 2015|
|Mt. Vernon||1||August 25, 2015|
|Rye||1||August 26, 2015|
|Town of Mamaroneck||1||September 1, 2015|
|Yonkers||1||September 2, 2015|
|Mt. Vernon||1||September 9, 2015|
|Yonkers||1||September 22, 2015|
Insect repellent safety
- Insect repellent use and safety (CDC)
- Insect repellent use and safety in children (FDA) DEET is not recommended for use on children under 2 months of age.
Maps and charts of West Nile Virus activity
- Current WNV Activity (CDC)
Protecting your pets from West Nile Virus
Life cycle of the mosquito
The mosquito goes through four distinct stages during its life cycle: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Learn more about the life cycle of the mosquito.
West Nile Virus Resources