Ledge Light Health District will provide mosquito-control services, including on-site consultation and mosquito dunks (larvicide) free of charge to residents of the towns in the district, the agency announced this week.

Ledge Light provides public health services to East Lyme, Groton City, Groton Town, Ledyard, New London, Old Lyme, Stonington and Waterford.

Mosquito dunks are a larvicide designed to treat mosquito-breeding sites to lessen the potential for the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases, including West Nile virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and Zika virus. They are safe for use around the home because they utilize a naturally occurring biological larvicide, the agency said in a news release.

Breeding sites include standing water in wetland areas or yard depressions, clogged rain gutters, empty garden containers, bird baths, used tire piles and pool covers.

Residents are reminded to empty standing water on their property once a week to eliminate potential mosquito breeding. When standing water cannot be removed, using a larvicide will eliminate immature mosquitoes before they can mature into flying adults. Flying adults are much more difficult and costly to eliminate.

At no cost, Ledge Light Health District will provide these services to residents or homeowners associations:

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[naviga:li]A site visit to assess standing water issues and make recommendations for eliminating mosquito breeding conditions.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]An initial treatment with mosquito dunks.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]A season-long supply of mosquito dunks, while supplies last.[/naviga:li]

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Residents interested in learning more about mosquito dunks or scheduling a site visit should contact Chris Seery at (860) 448-4882, ext. 351, or Patti Myers at (860) 434-1605, ext. 214.

Ledge Light only will provide larvacide dunks for standing water bodies of less than 400 square feet. Supplies are limited.