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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2
Junior Member
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2 |
My 1/3 acre pond was completed last spring but could not stock fish until this past September. During the fishless 4 months the pond became occupied by countless tadpoles and water bugs. I had anticipated that the tadpoles and bugs would be lesss this year but as warm weather arrives I noticed again counless tadpoles and water bugs. While i am not too concerned with the tadpoles, I am somewhat leary of alll the water bugs. I have noticed water striders,boatmen and I believe Backswimmers. I have heard that some of these bugs can bite if someone takes a swim. Should I be concerned or let nature take it's course. I look at other ponds my size and do not notice near the amount of bugs. I should also add that the pond is 14' at its deepest with the majority shoreline at 3/1 or more. I stocked it with 150 blue gill and a lesser amount (40 each) of channel cat and bass. Will any of these fish eat these bugs? I would appreciate any help on the subject as I have not seen it addressed.
Frank R
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 470
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Posts: 470 |
I saw a bunch my first year also now they are almost non-existant. Just let your BG gt a little bigger and by summer bye bye bugs.
Bob
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,991 Likes: 283
Moderator Lunker
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Moderator Lunker
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 13,991 Likes: 283 |
You post takes me back three years - I'd almost forgotten having enough bugs (and only bugs) in the pond to make it interesting to watch.
Bob is absolutely right; now that you've stocked fish, the days of insect supremacy are over. Also, your bass will probably hold frog/tadpole numbers down once they get large enough.
"Live like you'll die tomorrow, but manage your grass like you'll live forever." -S. M. Stirling
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2
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Thanks to both of you. I guess now all I have to do is wait for the fish to do their job
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,157 Likes: 493
Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
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Moderator Ambassador Field Correspondent Lunker
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 15,157 Likes: 493 |
For bass to eat some of the things you are talking about, the bass have to be larger, about 6"-8". Give them this spring and summer and by fall the bug number should be noticably less. When the bass are 12+" the tadpoles will then be fewer.
aka Pond Doctor & Dr. Perca Read Pond Boss Magazine - America's Journal of Pond Management
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