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Ponds & Aquatic Plants

Mosquito controls

15 years ago

Hi there,

I've just created a lovely pebble pond, no fish because it is rather shallow and because we have predators such as racoons and blue herons. My question is about mosquito control. It's a small pond with a small fountain. I had thought that moving water is enough to deter mosquitos from laying eggs but I still discovered larvae. What mechanical or organic controls - not insecticides - can I use? Please advise.

Ianna

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Comments (8)

buyorsell888
15 years ago
You need to buy Mosquito Dunks

They are safe for wildlife, pets and kids

Here is a link that might be useful: Mosquito Dunks
ianna
Original Author
15 years ago
I forgot to add that I had considered mosquito dunks but it's unfortunately not sold here, in fact, I can't even get it mailed over here. The reason is not clear but it seems that local laws prevent the product from being sold here (as well as Puerto Rico and Washington,DC)
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A friend of mine is a dog breeder in Puerto Rico and lives right next to the jungle. For years she had serious tick infestations and had to use Frontline for her dogs constantly. This past year she started spraying a garlic spray called Mosquito Barrier in her yard once a month and the problem ended immediately. She has not even had to put a single dose of frontline on her dogs since she started. She didn't mention mosquitos, but garlic spray certainly worked for her when it came to fleas and ticks. With summer right around the corner, I am planning on buying some for my land today. Also, about guineas, before we moved onto our land we put some adolescent guineas on it in a strong dog kennel, planning to release them when we were living on the land 24/7. Within a week the coyotes had eaten all 25 of them, they had pried through the chain link. Of course, our land already had coyotes so I can't say they attracted prey animals but the guineas were certainly defenseless from them. Here is a link that might be useful: Garlic Spray
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missa7
15 years ago
How shallow?
Could minnows work?
Are there any plants?
Maybe chlorine/bleach?
asun1
15 years ago
I would suggest some Rosey Red Minnows. They are cheap, no maintenance, sold at most all pet stores, and too small for Racoons to mess with.....Amanda
ianna
Original Author
15 years ago
It's deep enough for mninnows. Yes I have horsetail reeds and parrot feather. Minnows - I didn't think of that. Thanks so much.
buyorsell888
15 years ago
A Canadian pond friend told me that you can buy another brand of BT mosquito control in Canada. It is granular in form and not sold under the Mosquito Dunk name but it is the same stuff. He couldn't remember the name.
youreit
15 years ago
From this article (more links in the article)-

"Some of the brand names BTI is sold under include Skeetal, Vectobac, Mosquito Attack, Gnatrol, and Bactimos. I found my big yellow plastic shaker jug of 'Dexol Mosquito Free Granules' at a local hardware store, and I've seen the granules and dunks at lots of garden centers. They're widely available via mail-order too; Mosquito Zapper is one of many companies that sells both. Here's the link [see article] to the granules. Here's the link to the dunks. Gardens Alive also carries BTI in granular form inside of cool little pouches under the 'No-Squirto' brand name (I don't name 'em; I just report 'em, folks)."

Brenda
vieja_gw
15 years ago
Here the City gives away a small bag of the mosquito-eating minnows free. They are live bearers & have survived for years now in my small pond. I was afraid the goldfish would eat the babies but the minnows seem to prefer staying at the surface (to eat the mosquito larvae, hopefully!); haven't ever seen any goldfish eggs hatch though so maybe the parents eat them ... or they are of the same sex & don't have fertile eggs.

Try the minnows if the water is deep enough for them to survive winters.

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