Man's best friend this summer might be the mosquito fish

About 4,000 foreclosed homes in Los Angeles County have backyard pools. Health officials fear that many of these pools will turn into perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes -- and the dreaded West Nile virus -- if they go unmaintained. That's why health officials are working to get access to many foreclosed pool properties and drop in their secret weapon: the Gambusia affinis, or the mosquito fish.

The fish feast on the mosquito larvae in the stagnant water, reports the Daily News. 

"These fish have proven their weight in gold," said state health agent Ron Helo.

-- Jesus Sanchez

Photo: Getty Images

 

Comments

[Lily]

Maybe the health officials should read up on mosquito fish in Wikipedia before releasing them:

"in most countries where mosquitofish have been introduced it is has been proved that the endemic fish species were already providing maximal mosquito control, and that the introduction of mosquitofish has been both unnecessary and highly damaging to endemic fish and other endemic aquatic life."

"The name 'gambusia' means 'useless' in Portuguese, a point that would have been helpful to know before introducing the mosquitofish to most of the world."

They also breed like crazy - Id say that looking at a home to buy with a pool full of fish would deter me from purchasing!

NOT HELPFUL!

[Sarcasm]

Mosquito Fish also prey on native species such as frog or salamander eggs. Let's hope that these fish don't get introduced into any watersheds.