Mosquito Farms? Is That What Water Gardens Are?
Scottie Johnson

What is nicer that a lovely backyard garden pond. The lush growth
rising above the water, graceful fish darting about and the
soothing sound of the water. These are just a few of the reasons
people are drawn to water gardens.

But when you think about adding a water feature to your garden,
you are torn, because you know that a charming pond can also be a
mosquito hatchery. And, everyone is concerned; rightly, about
mosquitoes and the diseases they spread.

It is true, mosquitoes do need water to breed, but at the same
time, there are so many effective ways to prevent mosquitoes from
breeding in ponds, you should not let that stop you. Water
gardeners are in a unique position; they can have wet spaces that
can actually help stop mosquitoes from breeding.

Just a few simple precautions are all you need to feel safe and
enjoy such a wonderful addition to the landscape.

If you have a water garden, or want one, try these suggestions.

Have moving water in your water garden. Mosquitoes will not lay
eggs in running water. The newly hatched mosquito must rest on
the water’s surface for a few minutes to let its wings dry. If
the water is moving, the female mosquito will not lay eggs there.

Get some mosquito fish for your pond. Mosquito fish, or gambusia
affinis, are very aggressive predators of mosquito larvae. They
are also aggressive to other fish and will also eat dragonfly
larvae, or nymphs. If mosquito fish are too predatory for your
particular tastes, several other types of fish readily consume
mosquito larvae, such as guppies, killifish, and small goldfish.
Koi are too large and will not target the larvae.

Add Bti to your pond. Bti is a naturally occurring type of
bacillus that is eaten by the mosquito larvae, and rapidly kills
them. It is not harmful to fish, pets, wildlife or humans. It is
sold under such names as Mosquito Dunks, or Mosquito Bits.

Add dragonfly larvae, or nymphs, to your pond. They are voracious
predators of mosquito larvae, and while the mosquito larvae stay
in that stage for only a few days, the dragonfly nymphs stay in
the larval stage for up to two years, and can prey on many
generations of mosquito larvae. And, when they become adults, the
dragonfly feeds on adult mosquitoes too.

Invite toads into your yard. One toad can consume up to 100
mosquitoes and slugs per night. They lay their eggs in water, so
the pond will attract them. If happy with its environment, a toad
can grace your garden for up to 20 years. And the tadpoles will
eat mosquito larvae also.

As an overall precaution, get a propane powered mosquito trap,
such as the Mosquito Magnet, to reduce the mosquito population in
your garden area. These are the most effective mosquito killers
around, and they will capture (and kill) the mosquitoes that your
natural controls miss.

With the growing concern about mosquito diseases, like West Nile
virus, malaria, and dengue fever, it is natural to feel
reluctance to add any water source around your home. With the
right precautions, you can beautify your garden and still feel
secure that you are not inviting mosquitoes into your immediate
environment.

If water gardening appeals to you, just educate yourself, take
the needed precautions, and get ready to enjoy the beauty and
serenity a water feature adds to your home.


Scottie Johnson is a life long mosquito warrior and freelance
author. For more detailed information about mosquito kill and
having a mosquito free life, please visit her website at
www.mosquito-kill-net.com

Copyright 2004, all rights reserved.


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