ARE YOU RAISING San Joaquin County MOSQUITOES? & Vector Control District Protection Through Prevention since 1945 ABOUT Mosquitoes complete their lifecycle in San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control standing water. During summer months, they District is an independent special district governed MOSQUITOFISH can mature from egg to adult in just five days! by a board of trustees. Mosquitoes may be breeding in your own backyard. Wine barrels, backyard ponds, The District covers over 1,400 square miles watering troughs and non-maintained including seven cities and all unincorporated or neglected swimming pools are all perfect areas. District operations are based on a con- breeding areas for mosquitoes. cept that utilizes several different approaches to vector control. The District uses state-of-the-art, environmentally sound techniques as a sustain- able approach to managing public health pests

adult and vectors, by combining biological, chemi- raft of eggs laid on water’s surface cal, legal, natural and physical control tactics water’s surface in a way that minimizes economic, health and environmental risks.

pupa San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector just under water’s surface larva Control District continues to protect public just under water’s surface health through preventive techniques, as well as providing surveillance for potentially new invasive Check these sources for mosquitoes and exotic diseases they may carry. mosquito breeding If you see tiny worm-like creatures wiggling SERVICES PROVIDED at the surface of the water, take a closer look for San Joaquin County Residents (cities and rural areas) to see if they are mosquito larvae. If they are, call the District. We may need to stock Mosquitoes Mosquitofish the mosquito source with mosquitofish. Inspection For Residential & Control & Agricultural Sites You should not find mosquito larvae in swimming pools that are regularly filtered Ticks Public Education and chlorinated. Inspection, Identification Literature, Presentations, & Education Website, News & Spray Alerts fish pond broken or open neglected window screens swimming pool clogged 209.982.4675 rain gutter 1.800.300.4675 low lawn 7759 S. Airport Way area Stockton, CA 95206 District Hours storm drain Monday-Friday anything that holds 7a.m. to 3:30p.m. water for more than leaky watering a few days equipment bird bath www.sjmosquito.org www.sjmosquito.org WHAT ARE MOSQUITOFISH MOSQUITOFISH CARE Temperature Mosquitofish can survive water temperatures affinis For newly established ponds, you must treat your between 50 degrees F and 95 degrees F, but Mosquitofish,Gambusia affinis, are native to the pond water to remove chloramine, a combination they prefer temperatures between 77 degrees southern and eastern parts of the United States. of chlorine and ammonia often added to drinking F and 86 degrees F. They are often found at They were introduced into water. You can purchase chloramine treatment kits the shallow, unshaded region of a pond. Algae in the early 1920’s at aquarium or supply stores. New concrete in limited amounts will not harm the fish, but for the control of mosquito ponds leach lime so they should be properly may become unsightly. Most pet stores can larvae. Mosquitofish seasoned, filled, allowed to stand several days, supply a preparation with directions for use in continue to be an important drained and refilled. Rocks in one end of the pond fish ponds to control algae. These hardy fish component of the San will protect young fry. Mosquitofish do not thrive should survive throughout several seasons and Joaquin County Mosquito well, nor consume mosquito larvae in ponds with reproduce to provide continuous biological control and Vector Control District’s substantial shade; consider this when deciding of mosquitoes. Integrated Pest Management program. Their where to place a new pond. Avoid getting garden voracious appetite for mosquito larvae and pupae sprays into the ponds. make these fish an excellent control method HOW TO GET FREE for mosquitoes in backyard Placement MOSQUITOFISH ponds, neglected When you get the fish home you will need to San Joaquin County Mosquito and Vector Control swimming pools, acclimate the fish to their new pond (or other site). District provides FREE mosquitofish to San animal water Place the container with the fish directly into the Joaquin County residents for placement on their troughs and other water for 20 minutes to one hour or until the pond’s property only. man-made water water and the container’s water are nearly the same By law, only District employees may features. temperature–then release the fish. Fish can be place fish in water sources other than picked up at those located on private property. For more information on obtaining these fish, Feeding the District’s call our office at 209.982.4675 or 1.800.300.4675 Mosquitofish are opportunistic feeders; they will eat office at 7759 S. Airport Way in Stockton, Monday or online at www.sjmosquito.org. just about anything. During warmer months they through Friday (except holidays) from 7 a.m. to usually do not need supplemental feeding; however, 3:30 p.m. Containers are provided. Mosquitofish if there is no natural food (a new pond or in the winter Biology can also be delivered to property by calling the months) you should feed them a small amount of fish Mosquitofish are members of the District at 209.982.4675 or 1.800.300.4675 or flake food. . They do not lay eggs, but rather online at www.sjmosquito.org give birth to live, well developed, and very active young. Mosquitofish breed from mid-spring to Compatible and fall in San Joaquin County with new broods of up to 50 young produced at intervals of about six Non-Compatible Issues weeks. Young mosquitofish are approximately ¼ Mosquitofish may not be compatible with goldfish inch in length and grow to nearly three inches long. or koi as mosquitofish tend to nibble on fins and Mosquitofish have insatiable appetites and are tails. Owners place mosquitofish with other fish capable of consuming up to three times their body at their own risk. Game fish such as bass, bluegill weight, or 100-500 larvae, per day. The average life and trout feed on mosquitofish. Other enemies span for a mosquitofish is two to three years. include raccoons, wading birds, frogs and snakes.