CANTON -- The St. Lawrence County Soil and Water Conservation District is giving out free anti-eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) kits.

The free treatments -- packets of a locally produced larvicide that can be used to treat standing water, including small pools, bird baths, livestock watering troughs, rain barrels, and ornamental ponds -- are being made available to homeowners through a partnership with the Soil and Water Conservation Districts in Jefferson, Oswego, and St. Lawrence counties.

EEE is a mosquito-borne virus that affects horses and other livestock, and can occur in humans. Dozens of horses have succumbed and several human deaths have also been recorded in the area.

The larvicide treatments act to kill mosquitoes before they develop to their biting stage. Homeowners are strongly advised to read the label directions before use, the district said.

Homeowners are eligible to receive one free packet of larvicide treatment, which is manufactured by a Central New York company and is available on a first-come, first-served basis through Soil and Water Conservation District offices in the affected counties: The St. Lawrence County Soil and Water Conservation District is located at 1942 Old DeKalb Road, Canton, New York 13617.

More info: 386-3582