Vector Control

Phone: 315-786-3730

Fax: 315-779-8607

Vectors are mosquitoes or ticks that can spread pathogens (germs) through their bite. Protecting yourself from mosquito bites and tick bites will help lower your risk of getting a vector-borne disease; such as Lyme Disease or Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).

Prevent mosquito bites:

• Use EPA-registered insect repellent on exposed skin
• Treat clothing and gear (boots, camping gear, etc.) with 0.5% permethrin to kill mosquitoes
• Cover skin with long sleeved shirts & pants
• Control mosquitoes indoors and outside
  • use screens on windows & doors to keep mosquitoes out
  • empty standing water around your home (in old tires, planters, pools, trash cans, etc.)

Prevent tick bites:

• Use EPA-registered insect repellent on exposed skin
• Wear long sleeved shirts and long pants to cover your skin. Tuck your pants into your socks to prevent ticks from getting onto your skin.
• Treat clothing and gear (boots, camping gear, etc.) with 0.5% permethrin to kill ticks
• Shower after coming indoors to remove any unattached ticks
• Do a daily tick check. If there is an attached tick, you want to find it quickly and remove it right away - before it transmits infection

Additional Information

NYSDOH Ticks webpage

NYSDOH Mosquitoes webpage

Factsheet: What to do after a tick bite

TickEncounter: The University of Rhode Island

Upstate Tick Testing Laboratory