rainbarrels and mosquitoes

nancy 3/25/2010, 9:14 am

I got a wonderful 55-gal bright blue rain barrel last spring. (It held fruit cocktail in it's former life). I keep it on my back porch where it gets full sun. While I never saw any larvae on it last summer, I was plagued my mosquitoes. To the effect that it truly limited my time outside as I didn't always want to spray myself with bug spray just to go to my backyard. So I've done a bit of research and found a chemical-free way to keep the buggers down - goldfish or mosquitoe fish IN the rain barrel! I'm so sold on this idea! Has anyone else tried this? How cold and/or warm can the water be for the fish to tolerate? I think it's still too cool, but what do I know? I'm also worried that they will boil in the summer. The water got quite warm last year.

I'm rambling, so I'll sign off. Any thoughts / suggestions / personal stories to share?

Thanks bunches!
n.

chocolatepop 3/25/2010, 9:34 am

Fish can tolerate cold much much better than hot.

Have you thought about netting on the barrel top? thats what we do and had no issues last year.

Guest 3/25/2010, 9:38 am

my dad uses an old cut up t-shirt and rubber band around the opening knew somebody else that used the filters from the milking machines he used on he's cows. nylon hose i've heard works good.

boog/mike

choksaw 3/25/2010, 10:46 am

Mosquitos only lay thier eggs in the surface of the water some fine screen netting over the hole should prevent them from doing so another home remedy that i have used in the past was to put some vegtable oill into the water it does not mix with the water and floats to the top to make a small skim layer of oil the mosquitos cant lay there eggs in and if for some reason it does get into your garden its not dangerous to the plants or the soil

**timwardell** 3/25/2010, 3:00 pm

I've had water gardens with goldfish and gambusia (mosquito fish) for almost 15 years. Goldfish are less tolerant of warm water than cold water. I've had an inch of ice cover my entire pond and the fish were just fine. However, when the water temps get above 87 degrees, their health will decline. Over 95 and you might as well cook them.

Screen door fabric, t-shrits and the other ideas suggested are good options. Mosquitos lay there eggs in still water. If they can't land on the water, you don't have a problem.

Another option that I've used is Mosquito Dunks. Just drop these in the water and they'll release a larvicide that is safe for fish, pets, and humans. It kills the mosquito larvae.

Mosquito Dunks:
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=mosquito+dunks&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=4308391157&ref=pd_sl_4a39ozguls_e

chocolatepop 3/25/2010, 9:39 pm

I've seen those dunks and often wondered if they were safe, good to know!!

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rainbarrels and mosquitoes

rainbarrels and mosquitoes

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Re: rainbarrels and mosquitoes


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