As the seasons turn warmer and wetter, many residents of both Oxford and Addison townships need to endure pesky mosquitos. Luckily, residents in both townships can take a bite of the mosquito populations by deploying Mosquito Dunks – slow-release larvicide in wet areas.

Starting this month, both townships will give out the dunks for free while supplies last. The dunks are donut-shaped briquettes and come in packs of two. In Addison Township, resident can pickup up two packs (four dunks); in Oxford residents can receive up to three packs (six dunks). These are available on a first-come first-serve basis. There will be no phone orders for the Mosquito Dunks, walk-ins only.

According to Oxford Township’s Communication and Grants Manager CJ Carnacchio, larvicides are designed to kill mosquitoes while they are in the larval stage of their life cycle, which occurs in standing water. Each briquette kills mosquito larvae for 30 days or more and can treat up to 100 square feet of standing water, regardless of depth. When placed in standing water, the dunks float and release a naturally occurring, soil-borne bacteria, Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israeliensis). The bacteria are ingested by the mosquito larvae within the water and soon after, it kills them. Mosquito Dunks are designed to be used in standing water, including rain barrels, ponds, birdbaths, flower pots, tree holes, planter reservoirs, rain gutters, water gardens and any other place where water collects and remains for periods of time. According to the manufacturer (Summit), Mosquito Dunks are harmless to plants, fish, frogs, turtles and beneficial insects.

Oakland County pays for these briquettes through its West Nile Virus Fund Program, which reimburses townships, villages and cities for expenses incurred in connection with mosquito protection and control activities, including mosquito habitat eradication and the use of larvicide.

For Oxford residents, go to the township hall at 300 Dunlap Rd., between 8 and 5, Monday though Friday. Addison residents should go to 1440 Rochester Rd., Monday though Thursday, 8:30 to 5 and on Friday from 7:30 to 4 p.m.

To learn more about Mosquito Dunks, visit tinyurl.com/bdehpukv.