Hillsborough Launches Free Mosquito Fish Wednesdays

RUSKIN, FL – Health experts often warn people to get rid of standing water in their yards, which are a breeding ground for mosquitos. However, whether it’s a pond or a bird bath, some standing water is difficult to dump out.

One way to protect those small amounts of water is to stock it with gambusia affinis, commonly known as mosquito fish, which eat the mosquito larvae. Now, Hillsborough County is offering Free Mosquito Fish Wednesdays to help residents reduce the mosquito population.

Through a partnership between Hillsborough County Mosquito Control and the University of Florida, Hillsborough County residents can pick up free mosquito fish on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at UF’s Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory, 1408 24th St. S.E. in Ruskin.

The fish giveaway events, which began July 12, are also available to residents of Plant City, Tampa, Temple Terrace and MacDill Air Force Base. Residents must bring a photo ID showing their local address to receive fish while supplies last.

Mosquito fish are a 2 ½-inch fish are a native freshwater species. They require no feeding and care is limited to protecting them from garden sprays, chlorine and other cleaning chemicals. The fish do not lay eggs and no special environment for breeding.

Residents can pick up limited quantities of free mosquito fish for use in backyard ponds, birdbaths, fountains, abandoned swimming pools, rain barrels and other artificial containers.

The fish are available first-come, first-serve and will be provided in temporary plastic travel bags, along with instructions on how to introduce them to their new environment.

The mission of the Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory, a cooperative of the University of Florida plus federal, state and county representatives, is to enhance the understanding of tropical, ornamental aquaculture through research and education.

For more information about mosquito fish and Hillsborough County’s fish giveaway events, visit http://hcflgov.net/en/newsroom/2017/05/09/mosquitos-worst-enemy-is-free.

Image via UF/IFAS Extension