| The war between humans and mosquitoes is a | | | | larvae. Tadpoles can reduce larvae populations |
| timeless one. Mosquitoes have spread more | | | | also, and when they become frogs or toads they |
| diseases and death worldwide than any other | | | | will consume large amounts of adult mosquitoes. |
| cause. It is well known they can spread West Nile | | | | Gambusia affinis, also known as western |
| virus, malaria, dengue fever and many others. | | | | mosquitofish, can consume massive amounts of |
| They also rate very high on the top ten most | | | | larvae, but should be carefully considered. They |
| annoying insect's list, completely able to ruin a nice | | | | have a tendency to replace native fish populations |
| day outside within minutes. They can breed in the | | | | due to their aggressive nature and ability to |
| smallest pockets of standing water, which brings | | | | starve other fish during their competition for food. |
| us to our problem: your pond! With the potential | | | | Altering the environment and structure of the |
| to house millions of eggs, you could find yourself | | | | pond is another method to minimize mosquitoes. |
| on the front lines! | | | | Vegetation growing in the water and along the |
| A single female mosquito may lay anywhere from | | | | edge can create pockets of calm and shady |
| 100 to 300 eggs at a time, which occurs on | | | | water even if you have a large fountain agitating |
| average 5-7 times in her lifetime. An egg can | | | | most of the surface. Overhanging bushes and |
| become an adult in as early as 4 days, but the | | | | trees also support ideal shady locations, so clipping |
| species generally found in ponds usually take | | | | these back is a good idea. Areas that flood |
| longer, closer to two weeks. As an adult, they | | | | frequently, but take a couple weeks to dry, along |
| generally prey close to where they originated. | | | | with shallow water, can create a big problem also. |
| They track their potential hosts by sight, scent | | | | Digging shallow areas deeper and eliminating any |
| and heat. Some are very picky eaters, possibly | | | | gradual slope on the embankment is a very good |
| only targeting birds or people, while others will | | | | idea; not only will it cut the mosquito population |
| draw blood for egg development from anything | | | | down, it will also help with algae and nuisance |
| they can find. Their entire life cycle is roughly a | | | | vegetation growth as well. |
| month, which is plenty of time to do a lot of | | | | Biological larvicides and other insecticides can be an |
| damage. | | | | excellent way to control mosquitoes. There are |
| There are many ways to drastically minimize the | | | | many formulations for a variety of scenarios, with |
| amount of mosquito activity on your pond. One | | | | no known risk s to the environment when applied |
| of the easiest ways is to keep the water from | | | | at the proper rates. Usually this type of |
| remaining stagnant by adding a fountain or pump | | | | treatment will last around a month per application |
| capable of disrupting the surface of the water. | | | | and can be used throughout the breeding season |
| Another way is to add specific species of fish. | | | | to achieve year-round mosquito control. |
| The more fish you have in your pond can play a | | | | Using a combination of these techniques, I wish |
| significant role in reducing mosquito populations. | | | | you a pleasant bite-free walk around your pond. |
| Bass, bluegill and catfish all feed on mosquito | | | | Good Luck! |