Nevada City, Calif.— Nevada County’s Environmental Health Department announces five Mosquito Fish Giveaways, which will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from May 14 to July 7.
“Mosquito fish are named because they consume mosquito larvae in ponds or other standing bodies of water,” explained Amy Irani-Leaverton, Environmental Health Director. “They are an effective tool to reduce the mosquito population without chemicals.”
To “fight the bite,” remove standing water in your garden or yard by flipping over buckets, pots, tires, and bins. Not only does it remove a nuisance pest that causes discomfort and annoyance, but it also reduces the risk of contracting diseases like West Nile Virus.
Details
Time: 10 a.m.–noon
Location: In the Nevada County Government Center Parking Lot (950 Maidu Ave, Nevada City)
How to Participate:
- Drive-thru pick-ups only; please remain in your car. Follow the signage to the new pick-up route, see map below.
- Containers will be provided to take the fish home safely.
- The mosquito fish must be delivered to your pond within two hours. The fish will eat mosquito larvae in ponds, watering troughs, birdbaths, and unused swimming pools.
Giveaway Dates
- Thursday, May 14
- Thursday, May 28
- Tuesday, June 9
- Tuesday, June 23
- Tuesday, July 7
For fish pickup before the scheduled distribution events, please contact Environmental Health’s Vector Control Program at 530‑265‑1500.
About Mosquito Fish and Proper Use
Mosquito fish are a non-native, invasive species, and should only be used in closed or stagnant water systems. They must not be released into natural waterways, including ponds that drain into the local creeks or streams, as they can have negatively impact native ecosystems.
Ponds that already contain larger fish do not require mosquito fish, as larger fish will eat mosquito larvae and the smaller mosquito fish.
For temporary or seasonal standing water that cannot be drained, store‑bought bacterial larvicides such as Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis or BTI may be used. These products are safe for the environment, will not harm people, pets, or wildlife when used as directed, and are widely available at hardware, garden, and pond supply stores.
Environmental Health provides on‑site consultations upon request. To schedule, please call the Vector Control Program at 530‑265‑1500.
To learn more, visit www.nevadacountyca.gov/MosquitoFish.