Every year, Hillsborough County hosts Mosquito Fish Giveaway events in order to help residents control mosquito populations on their properties. These events have seen record-breaking attendance in 2022 due to the high heat and growing mosquito density.
With such a high turnout for the Mosquito Fish Giveaways, Hillsborough’s Mosquito Management Services finds it critical to spread awareness of mosquito fish care and grow their department for community outreach. This year, they have hired a full-time marine biologist and a part-time animal care assistant to oversee a new hatchery for the County.
Hillsborough’s program is one part of a larger biological control initiative. The fish, which are native to Florida, are a key element that will help reduce the amount of pesticides required to control mosquitoes. The fish also eat mosquitoes in the larva stage before they become flying, biting adults that can spread deadly or harmful diseases.
Related: Audubon Florida Nets Funding to Continue Brown Pelican Conservation
Residents are given a “crash course” for mosquito fish care before they take a bag home to ensure that the fish can survive and effectively control the mosquito populations. To care for your mosquito fish, follow these steps:
- Allow your mosquito fish to float in its baggie in your pond for half an hour before cutting it open to release the fish
- Once released in your pond, they will be able to feed themselves on larvae during the spring and summertime. However, in winter food may be scarce, so you can supplement with tropical fish food or another alternative until the mosquito population is active.
- These fish are ideal for koi ponds, out-of-service pools, and other small standing bodies of water, but may be aggressive toward certain fish in an aquarium setting.
Get help from Hillsborough County
As more residents turn to the County for free help control mosquitoes around their homes, it is important to remember that the fish can only help if they are placed in a suitable environment. The Hillsborough Mosquito Management Service helps residents determine whether mosquito fish are the ideal solution for their properties, or if a mosquito larvicide tablet is right for them.
Larvicide tablets provided by the Hillsborough Mosquito Management Service are a biological alternative that can be used for shallow ditches or any body of water that dries up easily. These biological larvicide tablets offer 60 days of control and residents can receive a 2-year supply. The Mosquito Management team recommends dumping the water from bird baths, regularly cleaning the surface to remove any mosquito eggs, and replacing the water with fresh water because they are perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes, but not good for mosquito fish.
If you are interested in receiving some help to fight mosquito populations at your property, here’s what you need to do:
- To receive fish, you need a photo ID showing that you live in Hillsborough County.
- County staff will scan or enter your ID information into the County’s mosquito database.
- Quantities are limited, and mosquito fish will be available only while supplies last.
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