West Nile Virus: Control Mosquito Population with Rosy Minnows

The first West Vile victim of the year in Contra Costa County was confirmed last week.  Thankfully she is reported only mildly ill, and is expected to make a full recovery.  To read the full article, click here.

Photo: Rosy Minnows

To help combat the spread of this disease, please eliminate potential breeding sites for mosquitos.  Mosquitos only need a few tablespoons of water to complete a life cycle.  For those of you who have ponds, consider purchasing mosquito-eating fish.  

I purchased rosy minnows at our local pet shop for our two small ponds.  They only cost 10 cents each, and I purchased $2 worth of fish for our two ponds!  I have had them for about a year, and I have not seen any mosquito larvae since introducing them to the ponds.  I do not have to feed them because they get plenty of food from the pond, and I also do not have to do anything extra to treat the water.  I definitely prefer keeping these pretty little fish over chemically treating the water for mosquito larvae.    

Free Mosquitofish.  Contra Costa County's Mosquito and Vector Control District is also offering free mosquitofish to its residents.  If you do not live in Contra Costa County, try checking your local Mosquito & Vector Control District or go to your local pet shop and purchase rosy minnows as a substitute.

Report Neglected Pools.  Neglected pools, spas and ornamental ponds are a big problem with the rising foreclosure rates.  Contra Costa Residents can report neglected pools here.  

More Information on West Vile Nirus.  For more information about the West Vile Virus and how to protect yourself, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Website: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm.

Get Free Mosquitofish

Photo: Mosquito Fish (Gambusia affinis) by Arizona Aquatics Garden

The dreaded mosquitos are back!  With the rising rates of foreclosures, more swimming pools, spas and ornamental ponds are being neglected, providing mosquitos the perfect breeding ground.  Did you know that mosquitos only need a few tablespoons of water to complete a life cycle?  An unmaintained swimming pool or spa is an ideal source for more than 1 million mosquitos that may go on to become infected with West Nile virus, and infect people within a 5 mile radius!

In order to control the mosquito population, Gambusia affinis a.k.a. "mosquito fish" have been introduced to these isolated stagnant bodies of water.  Mosquitofish are live bearing freshwater minnows related to guppies.  Adult mosquitofish measure 1 to 2 inches in length, and can eat 500 mosquito larvae a day!  They also eat wind-blown organic debris at the surface of the water.

To get free mosquitofish, check with your local Mosquito and Vector Control Associations.
Contra Costa County's Mosquito and Vector Control District are giving away free mosquitofish to its residents.  They are available for pickup at the District's office located at 155 Mason Circle, Concord, CA Monday through Friday (except Holidays).

Contra Costa residents can also report neglected swimming pools here.

If you cannot get free mosquito fish in your area, you can purchase them online at Arizona Aquatics Garden.

Important: Please do NOT release any live mosquitofish in open waters.  It is against the law to do so, and may disrupt the ecological balance in natural habitats.