How To Get Rid Of Garden Pond Mosquitoes Once And For All
The Secret Of Successfully Controlling Mosquito Numbers
Mosquitoes
love water, still water that is and not moving water. Here they lay the next
generation of biters! Irrelevant of the species of mosquito there is a 4
stage development process: Egg, larvae, pupae and adult. Mosquito larvae and
pupae spend their time living in water.
Female mosquitoes, depending upon species prefer to lay their eggs in different places. Certain mosquito varieties lay eggs on moist mud and leaves that are in the vicinity of water but not actually in direct contact. Here the eggs lay dormant until rain or high tides flood the area, causing the eggs to hatch into larvae.
Ditches, drying up streams, excavations and fields that hold water will often be a fantastic place to lay eggs for other female mosquito species. During hot summer spells the lifecycle of a mosquito progresses rapidly from being a pupae to being an adult mosquito, capable of flying within a week or two.
Some spring species have only a single generation per year, whilst the majority of mosquito species are far more prolific and produce several generations of mosquito per year. It is in these high numbers that mosquitoes become a real nuisance and a threat, due to the diseases they may carry.
Mosquitoes harbor disease, and are a common carrier of malaria, West Nile virus and dengue fever. They do however have benefits for pond fish! Some of your pond fish will really appreciate this tasty treat.
People living in the warmer climates that suffer from mosquitoes are often reluctant to add a pond to their backyard or incorporate a water feature as they feel that this encourages mosquitoes. Don’t let this put you off as there are many ways to prevent these biting pests from taking over. Here some suggestions.
How to keep mosquitoes at bay!
Female mosquitoes will only lay their eggs in stagnant water. If your pond water is circulating or there is movement she will fly away to find another home.
Get yourself some fish that eat mosquito larvae. Goldfish, killifish, mosquito fish (gambusia affinis) will eat mosquito larvae quite happily.
Mosquito control products such as Dr T's RX Natural Insect Repellent and Microbe Lift Mosquito Control containing biological larvacide (BTI) will kill the larvae. The larvae eat this naturally occurring type of bacillus and it kills them.
Use nature’s creatures as a preventative measure. Both toads and Dragonfly will readily consume adult mosquitoes. Their larvae and tadpoles will eat the mosquito larvae also.
One of the most effective mosquito prevention methods is to use a propane powered mosquito trap, such as the Mosquito Magnet. It will effectively kill the mosquitoes that the fish, toads and dragonfly have missed.
Don’t let mosquitoes put you off keeping a backyard pond! If you use some of the methods mentioned above then you will still be able to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of a backyard fish pond.
