Are Mosquito Fish the Only Solution for Mosquito Control?

Controlling mosquitoes is very difficult once they start flying in the air. They escape quickly from most of your efforts. However, there is one easy method. If you are able to eliminate mosquito larvae (the birthplace of mosquitoes) successfully from the water, you will be successful. That makes Mosquito Control Near East Meadow easy.

Some experts recommend use of mosquito fish for destroying mosquito larvae. They are small, so they can easily adjust to any level of water. They have upturned mouths which are convenient for eating larvae and other troublesome algae. They are very tolerant about environmental conditions and can easily survive in different temperatures and even polluted water. They do not catch any major disease and they do not ask you for any food!

However, they bring in some problems also. When they are introduced, many scientists warn that they will create a negative ecological impact. Some studies have proven that their introduction has endangered many existing fish species. Some States have experienced problems like declining population of minnow after promoting mosquito fish. Even in Australia, the government has banned the introduction of mosquito fish in many areas. In Western Australia, it is illegal to keep or breed mosquito fish.

So can they be considered as the only answer for effective control of mosquitoes? Well, there are many other methods still available and they are effective too. First of all, they are not the only species of fish which eat mosquito larvae. Goldfish and minnows can do the same job. However, with a big publicity given to mosquito fish, other species are not remembered.

There are many places which are responsible for mass production of mosquitoes. Standing water anywhere is an ideal place for breeding of mosquitoes. If there are such uneven places in your landscape where water is collected due to rains, you will find sudden increase in the population of mosquitoes. If there are any abandoned swimming pools, rain gutters which are clogged, they are safe heavens for reproduction of mosquitoes. If there is any seepage from septic tanks, that will be producing tones of mosquitoes. Effective monitoring of these places with regular cleaning will automatically control population of mosquitoes and other insects.

If you chlorinate your swimming pools regularly, provide proper aeration systems for artificial ponds, and do not overcrowd your pond with too many aquatic plants, you can effectively control mosquitoes in your area. You can also use Bt bacteria, which will attack the mosquito larvae effectively and will not pose any danger to have the surrounding environment at the same time.

There are many other species of fish in every part of the world which do the same job as mosquito fish. So there is no specific need of bringing them at new places. It is always important to remember the basic principle of controlling mosquitoes – concentrate your efforts to destroy their breeding centers. They are easy to catch and can be destroyed with easy methods.