Water Education Foundation
This is just one post in the Uncategorized Category
Click here to view all posts

Local allies in public health: Fish – In stagnant swimming pools of foreclosed homes, they devour disease-carrying mosquitoes before they hatch

Posted by: Maven on March 18, 2009 at 11:00 pm

From the Las Vegas Sun:

The newest sign of these economic times can be found hanging on back-yard gates throughout the valley: “Fish at work.”

It’s public health authorities’ way of alerting neighbors that, yes, the algae-filled swimming pool in the back yard of that foreclosed or abandoned home is a potential breeding ground for mosquitoes — but not to worry, our fish are on the case. And the sign is intended to get the attention of property caretakers, too: Please don’t add any chemicals to the pool, or you’ll kill our inch-long Gambusia affinis, or “mosquito fish.”

The surface-feeding minnows are the primary combatant in ridding the pools of mosquito larvae, by devouring them before they hatch. These minnows are considered more effective than the chemicals that have been used in the past because the chemicals become ineffective after a month and need to be replenished. The minnows, on the other hand, can survive in an oxygenated pool for years.

Read more from the Las Vegas Sun by clicking here.

March 18, 2009 · Filed Under Uncategorized

Comments

Leave a Reply