Residents in Fort Myers are turning to a tiny, natural solution to tackle a big problem: mosquitoes. At a recent Cape Coral WINK Listens event, locals shared their fishy idea to combat the buzzing nuisance.
Some neighbors in Fort Myers are advocating for the use of mosquito fish, known as Gambusia, to control mosquito larvae in swales and puddles outside their homes. These small fish are efficient at eating mosquito larvae, reducing the need for chemical sprays.
"Somebody should be driving around just tossing a handful in each thing, instead of putting the chemicals in the air, they will kill all the mosquitoes and everything else," said Phil Kerr, a Fort Myers resident.
WINK News contacted Lee County Mosquito Control to learn more. The district confirmed that it has a program to distribute mosquito fish to the public.
"People can actually call the district, or they can go online and fill out a form, basically giving us the square footage of the water body that they need the mosquito fish for," said a representative from Lee County Mosquito Control District.
Officials encourage residents to report areas with frequent standing water. Whether through natural predators or spraying, the aim is to reduce bites and create safer streets.
If you spot standing water, consider calling it in. You might receive a tiny school of helpers delivered, but no net is required.
For more information on the mosquito fish program, visit the Lee County Mosquito Control District's website.