06/22/2026
As we mark Mosquito Awareness Month, Suffolk AME proudly recognizes our dedicated members working in Suffolk County DPW’s Division of Vector Control. These hardworking professionals, in close partnership with the Department of Health Services, play a vital role in protecting our community from mosquitoes, ticks, and other arthropods that pose public health risks.
This morning, we visited a site in Patchogue, alongside Vector Control Aide Greg Layman and Vector Control Unit President Brian Viggiano, to gain firsthand insight into the complex and critical work performed daily by our Vector Control members. Their job goes far beyond simply distributing pesticides. They carefully collect samples to monitor for arthropod-borne diseases like West Nile Virus, tailor treatments by considering the local environment and mosquito life stages, and investigate neighborhood complaints to identify and remediate breeding grounds. Remember, female mosquitoes only need about an inch of standing water to lay eggs! Our members tirelessly educate the public on how to eliminate these risks safely.
One aspect of Vector Control’s work that often goes unnoticed is the real personal risk our members face when interacting with the public. While their mission is to help and protect the community, responding to mosquito complaints sometimes means entering private properties where residents may be uncooperative or even hostile. Our members must navigate these tense encounters professionally and calmly, all while working in potentially unsafe conditions. Beyond dealing with difficult individuals, they face the constant hazard of unstable, muddy terrain that can result in injuries or equipment getting stuck. These challenges add an extra layer of difficulty to a job that already demands physical endurance and expertise, underscoring the dedication of our Vector Control team members.
Unfortunately, this essential work is being carried out by a dramatically reduced team. Once staffed with over 100 employees, Vector Control now has fewer than 20 members in the field covering the entire county. In addition to increased staff, these frontline workers, like many Suffolk AME members across agencies, urgently need pay increases to attract and retain talent, ensuring they can support themselves and their families on Long Island.
Vector Control’s success would not be possible without close collaboration with the Department of Health Services’ Arthropod-Borne Disease Laboratory and other state and local partners. Together, they form a united front dedicated to public health, environmental preservation, and disease prevention.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the men and women of Suffolk County’s Division of Vector Control and all members who work to mitigate the spread of arthropod-borne diseases in Suffolk County. You are true unsung heroes to our friends, neighbors, and loved ones. Suffolk AME is proud to stand with you and represent your vital work.
