Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-15
FISH FROM SOUTH
FIGHT MOSQUITOES
Campaign Against Pests in
District to Continue Through
out Summer Months.

Coincident with the announcement
| from the ONCE of Public Buildings and
Public Parks today that the mosquito
control campaign is now in full swing
came the information that a Southern
| fish, Known as the Garnbusia, with a
fondness for mosquitoes in the max
ing, may be utilized in Rock Greek and
elsewhere to curb the pests that an
noyed President Hoover in the White
House Particular attention is being
paid to the Executive Mansion and its
environs in the campaign.
The Gambusia. which finds mosquito
larvae highly delectable, is found in
the Carolinas and a stock supply was
brought here and placed in the waters
Of the National Geological Park of the
Smithsonian Institution They have
weathered the past Winter successfully,
and attention IS being given to the pos
sibility OF placing these acclimated FISH
il the streams and ponds in this To-
cality to aid in keeping down the
mosquitoes.
Dispense With Oil
II the FISH can be trusted to eat the
mosquito eggs, it may be possible TO
dispense with oiling some Of the streams
and pools.
In the once OF Public Buildings and
/
inspector in the mosquito control unit.
is credited with devising an automatic
spray lever for knapsacks. enabling a
man to spray oil as fast as he can walk,
instead Of using the old petcocK method.
Larvae Are Found.
Rock Creek. Foundry Branch. Fort
Dupont and all outlying minor rCserva-
tons have been combed for mosquitoS,
I fRA. n
have been found. but none Of the adult
pests on the wing have been discovered.
Pupae, the stage prior 20 adult develop
nlent Mr. Kinsella said, have likewise
been found.
Congress sliced the mosquito control
appropriation from last years $4,000
to Sill 900 for the current season, but
! MI Kinsella and his aides have been
able 10 do extensive work thus far,
clearing a number of streams, draining
marshy areas and spreading the gas
oil low grade of kerosene, 10 keep the
pests from breeding. They have been
working quietly since March !, and
during the Winter. men were at work
clearing out debris in the upper reaches
of Rock Creek Park and this is deemed
highly beneficial in destroying potential
breeding places.
Campaign to Continue.
The maui the mosquito" campaign
Will continue in full force and effect
until about the middle of October, or
as long as there is need for it. All new
public buildings under construction will
! be watched Tor their dangerous &C
cumulations CT water, fine breeding
places for the pests
Through the medium Of lectures, illus
I tratcd With movies, showing the habits
of the mosquito by fight dc ,cctoTs COM
| p. iSing glass smearea with castor oil
to catch the mosquitoes in fight so that
they may be tracked TO the direction
showing their breeding place, and
/ through first hand work in the field the
| mosquito fighters are gathering a wealth
/ OF information TO make Washington
| safe this Summer from mosquito bites.
| The culeX, Mr.. Kinsella explains, is
| the big bitter in these parts, and the
: female Of the species is the one that
| bites.
The public is asked to cooperate by
| disposing Of all cans and ether re-
| ceptacles that might hold stagnant
water affording the mosquitoes a good
breeding place.
! Reports Of mosquitoes should be re-
, layed 70 Naticnal $40. branch 81 MI
kinsella said 50 that Public Health
| Service authorities may direct the
proper force to attack that salient.