Mosquito larvae in new pond (London, UK)
richard szydlo
and filled it with water two weeks ago, it is now the obligatory pea soup
colour. I'm not panicking yet, however, though this will be a 'wildlife'
pond I'm not to sure about the mosquito larvae that are happily swimming
around at the moment. Do I wait for natural predators to find their way
to my bit of water, or can I do something in the meantime. I'm
introducing a variety of plants today, and am thinking about perhaps
sticklebacks/minnows/rudd after a few more weeks. I've read that
fish/frogs don't go together. Is this true?
Thanks in advance for any replies.
Richard (London, UK)
Jim Barr
<rsz...@rpms.ac.uk> writes
Sounds great!
Your sticklebacks will love the mosquito larvae. I have a pond (smaller
than yours) which is very 'natural'. It has goldfish, sticklebacks,
frogs, newts mayfly larvae and dragonfly larvae.... but no mosquito
larvae, they don't stand a chance!
Good luck, Jim
Jim Barr Machine Conversation, Bedfordshire England
Leaves Rustle....Blades turn..... Water moves
Gadfly
richard szydlo <rsz...@rpms.ac.uk> wrote:
>Having recently dug a pond (42sq ft,gently sloping to max depth 24inches)
>and filled it with water two weeks ago, it is now the obligatory pea soup
>colour. I'm not panicking yet, however, though this will be a 'wildlife'
>pond I'm not to sure about the mosquito larvae that are happily swimming
>around at the moment. Do I wait for natural predators to find their way
The mosquitos will have pupated and flown off long before any natural
enemies show up. The cheapest and easiest thing to do is go to the
local pet store and buy some feeder guppies (you'll get anywhere from 4
to 10 for $1). They'll take care of the mosquito larvae and just about
anything else that moves that can fit in their mouths. If there are
any nooks and/or crannies in your pond where guppy fry can hide, you'll
have more guppies than you can count come the fall.
*** ***
Ken Perlow ***** ***** Bell Labs / Lucent Technologies
****** ****** 27 Jun 96 [9 Messidor An CCIV]
***** ***** gad...@bell-labs.com
** ** ** **
...L'AUDACE! *** *** TOUJOURS DE L'AUDACE! ENCORE DE L'AUDACE!
R Wallace
>
> Having recently dug a pond (42sq ft,gently sloping to max depth 24inches)
> and filled it with water two weeks ago, it is now the obligatory pea soup
> colour. I'm not panicking yet, however, though this will be a 'wildlife'
> pond I'm not to sure about the mosquito larvae that are happily swimming
> around at the moment. Do I wait for natural predators to find their way
> to my bit of water, or can I do something in the meantime.
Don't worry about it! I built a pond last year, and had exactly your
experience - gungy green water and lots of mosquito larvae. This year it
is full of all kinds of wildlife, the water is quite clear, and there is
not a mosquito larva to be seen. I guess they have been eaten (I have no
fish in the pond)
Let nature do the work!
Richard Wallace
Mike Edgar
<cl...@cc.keele.ac.uk> writes
Greetings from NW Berkshire,.... AKA "the sticks" and thanks to all in
this group for interesting posts. I am wildlife/pond-mad and have put in
four small wildlife ponds (all heavy duty pre-forms) over the past five
years. They are linked and drain excess rainwater from highest to lowest
(what else..!) I leave them "wild" but do a weed/ overgrowth clear-out
as late as possible in the year. I dug deep peripheral pits and filled
these with rocks and hardcore close to each pond as winter "quarters"
for the newts and frogs etc. My newts.. (I call them "mynewts" 'cos they
are so small..sorry..!)have taken-over all four ponds and watching the
courting and egg laying process and seeing the tiny new born is a real
experience.
I have recently sat by the side of the newest pond surrounded by blue
and dark red Damsel flies and studied their courting/egg laying and
during the last week watched the larvae emerge from the water and ...
miraculously... become lace winged wonders. The larvae cling to any
protruding plant stems, 3-6 inches above the water, backs to the sun,
the pupae casing splits and the imago emerges folded over and encased in
a translucent "jelly". As the sun dries it out the wings and body
lengthen and take shape.
I have mosquito larvae in each pond, but I am sure the newts and frogs
eat them....??
I have persistent blanket weed problems and find the hand and stick-
removal method is the most efficient. I would NEVER (sorry) put any kind
of chemicals into a pond, not even tap water, and I keep a large open
container filled with matured water for topping-up in hot, dry weather.
I am constantly amazed at the problems people encounter with fish-
keeping ...!?
..is it really worth all the trouble and expense... ?
We don't have the kind of severe winter problems that you folks across
the "big pond" have and I work on the basis that my wildlife is
naturally well equipped to survive. When we are expecting "severe"
winter conditions I float a small ( 10" long) rugby ball on each pond
with a 6" mast and sail stuck into it. I find the shape of the ball plus
the wind movement keeps enough of the surface ice-free for gas and air
ventilation. (NASA are trying to buy this technical wonder from me ..but
I'm not selling..!)
My main problem is/are predatory Grass snakes, I have caught 6 so far
(what a pantomime this is..! my wife freaks-out and the dog runs
away..!!) and driven them miles away in a bucket with the lid taped well
down to a safe habitat. My ponds bring us great pleasure, birds and deer
come regularly to drink and the and the increase in wildlife and insects
that we have seen is beyond all expectations.
Sorry this is so long, but I thought it about time I contributed
something.
Happy Pondering
Mike
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Mike Edgar
It's nice to be important, but more important to be nice.
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Stephen Walker
In article <lJrWEGA4...@edgarco.demon.co.uk> Mike Edgar <Mi...@edgarco.demon.co.uk> writes:
>Subject: Re: Mosquito larvae in new pond (London, UK)
>From: Mike Edgar <Mi...@edgarco.demon.co.uk>
>Date: Sun, 30 Jun 1996 01:11:36 +0100
<snip>
>I am constantly amazed at the problems people encounter with fish-
>keeping ...!?
> ..is it really worth all the trouble and expense... ?
<snip>
My father has a 4-5 yr old springer spaniel-border collie cross. In its short
life, it has been operated on 3 times to remove intestinal blockages. The vet
has suggested fitting him with a zip :-)
The first time, it had swallowed part of one of those plastic squeaky toys
puppies like to play with.
The second time, it had eaten a large rock.
The third time, it had swallowed whole a very large chunk of bone given to it
by a dog-sitter, while my folks were on holiday.
Each time, this has necessitated several trips to the vet, x-rays, an
operation, antibiotic injections, tablets, and being forced to wear a lamp
shade on its head until the stitches come out.
Each episode has cost £200-£400. Then there are routine vaccinations, large
quantities of food (I'm sure there are some pig genes in that dog!) worming,
walking, kennel fees, vacuuming dog hairs up, trips to the nice woman to trim
his fur and cut back on the amount of hair shed........
All in all, fish seem like a lot less trouble and expense to me!
Steve
--
Steve Walker_________|swa...@wpo.nerc.ac.uk| My opinion only.
From where I'm sitting, you lot don't all pass the Turing test.
Mike Edgar
In article <swalker.26...@wpo.nerc.ac.uk>, Stephen Walker
<swa...@wpo.nerc.ac.uk> writes
As a dog-lover/owner of rescued dogs I certainy sympathise with your
father Steve, but I've never heard of a Koi or any other fish that
barks, discourages unwanted visitors or bird-killing cats, rabbits, hot-
air balloons etc, takes me for long walks in the country, and lowers my
heart rate in a warm cuddle........ but then.... perhaps someone in this
ng knows different....? Anyway, I'll stick with the natural self
sufficient wildlife... (until my newts start demanding walkies that
is..!) Thanks for the nice story Steve
Mike
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Mike Edgar (Warning; Email may be publicly posted)
Greg Bickal
I agree with you. Fish are alot less work. Expecailly when there not
overstocked. The larger the pond, the easier it is to take care of. Yes
dogs bark, sometimes at 2 in the morning until 3 and I cant sleep. They get
hair everywhere, they lick you and they poop on your lawn (at least cats
don't lick you and they bury their poop), So Im a define fish lover !!
Happy Ponding !! and try some Guppies for those Mosquito Larvae. They can
swim faster than goldfish. Mine are great
BSmith1401
Such a delightful posting!! I live in southern CA - (ie: citylife) - and
the "trouble" to keep fish is absolutely worth it! Although certainly no
winter trouble.
I have watched the dragonflies also - totally fascinating! Water lilies
in bloom - water hyacinths (if crowded) bloom gloriously - small waterfall
- keeps me sane in an insane world!