LOS ANGELES COUNTY : Fish to Be Unleashed as Mosquito Control Weapon

Officials from Los Angeles County’s largest mosquito abatement district Thursday began trapping hundreds of tiny green-and-silver fish that feast on the warm weather pests.

The gambusia affinis, or mosquito fish, is one of the most effective weapons used by the Southeast Mosquito Abatement District, and it is available at no charge to those bugged by the menacing drone of the insects. Later this month, the fish will be available at the abatement district’s North Hollywood office at 12741 Saticoy St.

Mosquitoes like to breed in standing water--the very environment the gambusia affinis also favors--making places such as horse troughs and drainage basins watery lunch counters for the ravenous fish.