Staff on site will be available to answer questions about recent dengue case
Who: Hillsborough County Mosquito Management and the Florida Department of Health
What: Mosquitofish giveaway event
When: 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Aug. 23
Where: Northdale Park & Recreation Center, 15510 Hooting Owls Pl., Tampa, FL 33624
Hillsborough County, Fla. (Aug. 22, 2025) - An epidemiologist from the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) will attend the final Hillsborough County mosquitofish giveaway event of the summer on Saturday, Aug. 23, in Northdale to speak with residents about the recent locally-acquired case of dengue that was discovered in Hillsborough this week.
Hillsborough Mosquito Management has hosted free mosquitofish giveaways monthly since spring at locations across the county, delivering mosquitofish to residents with ponds, fountains, and other intentional standing water on their property as a natural way to lower the mosquito population.
Saturday's mosquitofish giveaway in Northdale is the final event of a season in which thousands of residents took these fish back to their property to help eliminate mosquitoes before they can fly.
At Saturday's event, residents will again be able to visit with mosquito scientists, learn about how to protect themselves, and take home a bag of mosquitofish if they qualify.
Additionally, residents also can speak with mosquito-borne disease experts from the FDOH about dengue and other diseases and how to protect themselves.
Mosquitofish are best suited for residences with ornamental ponds or other small bodies of water that remain full all year. The Mosquito Management team will ask residents where they intend to release the fish to ensure the mosquitofish will be able to thrive.
The annual mosquitofish giveaway events are free for anyone who lives in Hillsborough County.
Things to know about the events
- To receive fish, bring a photo ID showing you live in Hillsborough County.
- Staff will scan or enter your ID information into the County's mosquito database. After that step is completed, you will move up to next station to receive your mosquitofish.
- There are limited quantities. Mosquitofish are available while supplies last.
Mosquitofish facts
- Mosquitofish are small, native freshwater fish that eat mosquito larvae.
- Place fish in standing water such as backyard ponds, fountains, animal troughs, and unused swimming pools to effectively and naturally manage mosquito populations.
- They require no feeding, and care is limited to protecting them from garden sprays, chlorine, or other chemicals used for cleaning.
- Mosquitofish do not lay eggs and require no special environment for breeding.
- All of the County's mosquitofish are raised at Mosquito Management Services headquarters, making the operation more sustainable.
- Homegrown fish are more likely to be healthier than fish transported from farms.