March 6, 2001--
Davis County is getting into the fish breeding business.
The fish are being made available to thousands of residents who want them as an alternative to toxic pesticides.
Science Specialist Ed Yeates tells us more.
Before this villain ever bites us - this guy called "Gambusia" can bite and swallow the blood sucker and hundreds like it - while still in the larvae stage.
That's why the Davis County Mosquito Abatement District is now breeding the mosquito-eating fish in brand new concrete ponds in Kaysville.
GARY HATCH, DIST. MANAGER, DAVIS COUNTY MOSQUITO ABATEMENT: "I THINK ONCE OUR PONDS ARE UP AND RUNNING WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO REPODUCE SIX TO SEVEN HUNDRED POUNDS OF FISH."
That translates to 175,000 fish which Gary Hatch and his colleagues will give away free of charge to Davis County residents.
It's a non-toxic pesticide-FREE way to control mosquitoes in backyard ponds. And the Gambusias get along with other ornamental fish, like goldfish.
ED YEATES, SCIENCE SPECIALIST: "IN A TYPICAL ORNAMENTAL POND WITH, SAY ABOUT 350 GALLONS OF WATER, IT WOULD TAKE ONLY TEN FISH TO COMPLETELY CLEAN OUT THE MOSQUITO LARVAE."
"I KNOW THAT IN OUR ORNAMENTAL POND THEY WILL CONSUME A COUPLE OF HUNDRED WITHIN A HALF HOUR."
Once inside the pond, Gambusia will keep the water free of any larvae all summer long. And if the pond is deep enough and gets enough sun in the winter time, the fish will survive and breed next season.
In fact, out in the wilds...
"THE FISH IS INCREDIBLY HARDY - SURVIVING IN WATERS LIKE THESE. THIS IS BECK HOT SPRINGS WHICH HAS A HIGH SULFUR CONTENT."
Gambusias also feed on algae and another annoying non-biting bug called Midge. But the delicacy, the real caviar on its plate is the mosquito.
For now the ponds will produce only enough fish for Davis County residents.
Other districts have some fish, which are caught in the wild.
If you would like to get your order in, call your local Mosquito Abatement District. Click here, then scroll down, for a list of Utah's mosquito abatement districts.
