As dengue fever cases climb across the Tampa Bay area, Clearwater took action Friday with a low-cost, low-tech approach: releasing 10,000 mosquitofish into four city lakes rather than turning to costlier chemical intervention or new government programs.

The fish were released into Prospect Lake, Glen Oaks, Moccasin Lake and Salls Lake, with each fish capable of eating up to 100 mosquito larvae a day. The city provided video of the release at Prospect Lake.

The move comes as Pinellas County remains under a state of local emergency over dengue fever, with seven reported cases so far. Hillsborough and Pasco counties have issued similar emergency declarations as the mosquito-borne illness spreads through the region.

Rather than expanding bureaucracy or pushing for costly countywide spraying initiatives, Clearwater’s approach relies on a natural predator already used in mosquito control efforts nationwide — a solution taxpayers won’t feel in their wallets. Officials are also placing responsibility where it belongs: with residents. The city is urging Tampa Bay homeowners to do their part by regularly draining standing water on their own property and using EPA-registered insect repellent, rather than waiting for the government to solve the problem for them.

Public health officials have not indicated whether additional lakes or waterways will see similar fish releases as the emergency orders in Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco counties remain in effect.

Follow the St. Pete-Clearwater Sun on Facebook, Google, & X

St. Pete-Clearwater Sun: local St. Pete-Clearwater & Tampa Bay, FL news at PIE-Sun.com