Pond Boss Forums POND CONSTRUCTION Renovating a Pond or Lake? To BOG or not to BOG

That is the question my new friends~

As you look at the picture I took a few days ago, you'll notice what appears to be a stream flowing into the pond and just above that, and in front of the tree to the left of the picture, you'll notice an area of vegetative growth.... otherwise known as WEEDS :-/ My initial plan was to dig all of that out to restore the pond to its original shape. That is actually what the area appearing to be a stream was like as well.

The stream is a very low flow natural spring inlet into the pond. But now as I learn about different components to ponds, water gardens/ fish ponds, etc... I'm wondering if I should leave that are and enhance it with some specific BOG plants? Since the last picture, I have done alot of adding stone as an aggregate to help catch the runoff material from the spring. Once I get the majority of the pond grass/weeds raked out, my plan is to install some type of aerator and attack the rest of the muck/sludge by adding microbes. While I haven't decided on which aeration product to install yet (cost may hold off waterfall plans), I'm leaning to the following product to help make a dent in the sludge reduction.

http://keetonaquatics.com/quality-products-pond-lake-management/beneficial-microbes/wsr/

THOUGHTS???

Evolving Pond-a-holic!, Shellie

POND PICTURE BELOW

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=...e=3&theater

I was not able to see your picture, but I am a fan of bogs and wetlands. They can, in my opinion, enhance the health of attached waters and those downstream, as well as be a great place for wildlife. We have built 4 wetlands on our place, and they are rich in wildlife. We also have two ponds which we enjoy as well.

RAH, what kind of mosquito issues do run into with a bog?

Dave,my back pond is built in a marsh and is surrounded by about 20-30 acres of prime waterfowl nesting areas that has a lot of shallow water. I was fishing Friday with my brother from Ky. when he said there is a mayfly nymph on my arm. I told him that it was a Va. skeeter. When you can feel them light on you, you learn to swat quickly. We usually quit before sunset as they are so bad. Even with Cutters being the perfume of choice they still send me lots of cards on Father's day.

Since we have put in the wetlands, our mosquito problem has all but disappeared. This was predicted by the "experts", but I really did not believe them until I experienced it myself (last 5 to 8 years). The key is not to have lots of small isolated pockets of temporary water where the mosquito larvae can excape predation by other insects. We actually have 5 wetlands (forgot about the small one in my past post), but only two are completely fish free. The others have some fish which get in during flooding. I occasionally see a few mosquito egg rafts and small larvae, but have never seen large larvae or pupae. I suspect that all the rain this year will fill every depression in the ground and we may see a banner year for mosquitoes, but I do not think that the wetlands contribute much to this.

I find that a mixture of imitation vanilla syrup and water works really well. Mix it and spray it on.

I use DEET. Tested and safe.

Then what Dave? Vanilla flavored mosquitoes? How many do you have to eat to get filled up?

Not to many in Va.,It is sporting to shoot them with a .410.

Scott, around here, we figure about 3 per person for a meal.

Everything is bigger in Texas(lies) even the skeeters.

RAH,

AM I understanding that the bog you put in, that helps with mosquitos, is actually located away from the pond. The area I'm considering, is actually a 6ft circumference(per se) on one edge of the pond. [img:center]https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=...e=3&theater[/img]

Maybe its different in other states but I can tell you from the land of 10,000 lakes...

standing shallow water = mosquitoes

As an added bonus, there eggs can lay dormant for a very long time if an area dries up. (I forgot the number of days) Once the areas flood again...BOOM a mosquito hatch.

As Cliff Clavin from Cheers would say....Its a little know fact...In Minnesota, during the 60's and 70's, Fathead minnows were the front line defense for controlling those blood thirty buggers. FHM's were dumped into every standing body of water through out the cites each spring.

Moving water, fish, chemicals, or better yet a combination of the three. In my limited experience, will mitigate a hatch.

I have one small (40 by 50') wetland within 50 feet of one of my ponds. The trick is not to have isolated small pockets of water that are not easily inhabited by predatory insect and amphibians. I cannot access your photo, so its hard for me to know what your situation is like. Is it connected to the pond or separated by dry land?