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barrel pond

bullfinchbullfinch Posts: 692
in Problem solving
Hello everyone, I recently made a barrel pond, and it's looking quite good. The only problem is, it has lots of little wriggly larvae, which I've been told are mosquito (gross). The garden centre told me to put fish in, but it (the 'pond') seems to small for that. Has anyone else had this problem? And any tips for sorting it out? 
Thank you!

Posts

  • JacquimcmahonJacquimcmahon Posts: 1,039
    Otherwise Could you put in a solar power floating fountain? They come in quite a few sizes and generally mosquitoes will only lay in still water so keeping it moving will help.
    Marne la vallée, basically just outside Paris 🇫🇷, but definitely Scottish at heart.
  • bullfinchbullfinch Posts: 692
    Thank you both, I had already decided against fish- too small a space and I thought the water might warm up too much in the summer.  I have put some plants in, so hopefully I will get some predators soon. And I'll take a look at some fountains :)
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    I can attest that moving water does absolutely nothing to deter mozis or larva. I have a micro-pond and put in a pump and fountain and the mozis love it. I use mozi dunks and they work brilliantly. With a small pond you only need a pinch every few months from about May to September. Keep an eye on the return of the tiny wriggly residents. 
  • JacquimcmahonJacquimcmahon Posts: 1,039
    Yikes fire your mozzies must be determined!
    Marne la vallée, basically just outside Paris 🇫🇷, but definitely Scottish at heart.
  • bullfinchbullfinch Posts: 692
    oh thanks @fire, do you know if that stuff is safe for other creatures if they drink from the water? We have a cat :)
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    The companies say it's fine for all other wildlife and pets as it contains a bacillus targeted to mozi larva (bacillus thuringiensis subspecies Israelensis). For me, it works within a day or so. It functions in the manner of nematodes that are parasitic on one type of animal only. Or yellow rattle that is parasitic on grass.

  • bullfinchbullfinch Posts: 692
    thank you very much I'm really grateful!
  • mrtjformanmrtjforman Posts: 331
    I don't mind the mosquitoes, if they don't find some puddle here, they will find one elsewhere. I was thinking poisoning them but then the birds would drink it so I would advise against that.

    Personally I would get myself a bit of plexi glass and have it cut to the right size to cover your barrel. It might get a bit of condensation on the inside but if you raise it just a bit to provide airflow you should be good and it will stop mosquitos getting to the water.
  • bullfinchbullfinch Posts: 692
    thank you for the tips everyone
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