Rejoice! We can hear your applause all the way to our office. 

Chickens are completely safe to be around and consume and are not a threat from West Nile virus. And their eggs are safe as well.

Here's how it works:

Chickens can get infected with West Nile virus, but they develop antibodies which fight the virus successfully. Some birds, like chickens, do not get ill or succumb to the virus while other birds, such as members of the Corvid family (crows, scrub jays, etc.), are devastated by the disease. Only Mother Nature knows why some birds are susceptible and others are not.

Our ecologists test the blood of our chickens (simple blood test) to determine areas where West Nile virus  infection is occurring. Because the chickens are confined to a coop (unlike wild birds), we know infection is taking place at a specific location. For this reason, they are very helpful in our surveillance of mosquito-borne diseases (more than just West Nile virus) and this is why they are called sentinel chickens. 

Not only do chickens serve as an early warning system for viruses, they and their eggs pose no risk to us. This makes them an important tool in our efforts to reduce the risk of mosquitoes and the diseases they transmit.

Mosquitofish are used throughout the world as an efficient, hearty predator of mosquitoes, and for good reason. They are biologically suited for feeding on insects that fall onto or reside at the water's surface. Their mouths, set upon an angular, tilted jaw, seem designed to slurp the mosquito larvae from their respite like spaghetti.

 It's the perfect marriage: mosquito larvae must reside at the water's surface because they need to breathe air. They live below the water's surface, filtering and scooping microscopic nutrients into their mouths at a flurry's pace. But, eventually, they must float to the water's surface and place their siphon tube through it and into the oxygenated air. Since mosquitofish feed at the water's surface, mosquito larvae are easy prey.

How many mosquitofish do I get from you to control mosquitoes in my water sources?

Mosquitofish are extremely proficient at eating mosquitoes. Each one, when full grown (about two inches) can eat up to 500 mosquitoes per day.

We recommend one fish per four square feet of surface water (not volume). Because mosquitoes hang out at the surface of the water, the volume of water is of no consequence to how many fish are needed to control them.

Where do I get mosquitofish? Are they free?

Yes. They are free from our District. Just stop by our office during business hours and we'll help you determine how many you need for your specific water source. If you need more than 50 mosquitofish, please call us ahead of your arrival and we'll have them bagged and ready for you.

Mosquitofish can be used in neglected swimming pools (capable of producing more than 1 million mosquitoes and affecting people up to five miles away), ponds (they cohabitate with other fish), water collection barrels, large fountains, and more.