Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Mosquito controll

Hi, this is my first post but I've been sneaking around for quiet a while.

Any how, is there anything I can do to control mosquitoes on my pond? The pond is 1/2 ~ 3/4 acre, and is spring fed. It has LMB, BG and this spring I put 10lbs of FHM in. I was under the impression that the FHM would eat the mosquito larvae.

Thanks for your help,
Scott.

Your situation is odd. Most ponds with fish do not have mosquito problems. Do you have areas where fish cannot get to?

Also, is there tall grass/brush/dense trees near the pond or near any wet areas near the pond?

Those are perfect resting/hiding areas for mosquitos.

How about neighbors puddles, wet spots, etc?

I keep it clean most all the way around. There is one small section about 50' that is not clean. In this section, a couple of springs converge. It does stay kinda mushy there. It seems that the mosquitoes are on the pond and not in this brushy spot.

Thanks for your help.

Do you see larvae in the pond water?

Rah, I haven't seen any but I'll check.

Also you FHM probably were devoured before they had a chance to eat the mosquitoes. Cannot really add them after the game fish are already established, they just become a fast-food snack.

If you don't see larvae in the pond, then the pond likely is not contributing to the population.

I'd bet on the mushy spots.

Is there anything I can do to help that won't harm my fish?

Aquabac 200G
Let me know if you have any questions or interest.

Kelly, is it a one time application or every "X" weeks?

"Depends" on site-variables, including population-pressures, water-transition (if any) and rainfall frequency; but it generally requires repetative treatments at varying intervals (usually 2-3 weeks).
I use it in a low-lying depression behind my backyard fence that collects and holds common-area irrigation water. Trust me; I know when it is time to reapply - and it is far easier, more effective and "safer" than treating for adults (after they've begun feasting upon us).

SPECIFIC APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Uniformly apply AQUABAC (200 G) in conventional aerial and ground application equipment. Use a seven to fourteen-day interval between applications. Longer periods of mosquito population suppression can result where sufficient numbers of non-target aquatic invertebrate parasites and predators are present, since these are not affected by AQUABAC (200 G) and contribute to mosquito population reduction.

The BTI will control larvae if that is your problem and you put it where the larvae are.

Another tool for the arsenal!!

Thanks Kelly.

Aeration or a fountain would help too ~ mosquitos need still, stagnate water to lay their eggs, so anything that breaks up the water tension will prevent mosquito reproduction.

What is BTI?

Upon closer inspection, I don't think this is mosquitoes. It's about the size of one, but has long legs in the rear and scoots on top of the water.

I have seen "water bugs" that look like a roach and they do the same thing. These seem smaller, about the size of a mosquito.

Hmmmm.......

Water boatman?

I think he's trying to describe something like this. I don't know what it's called tho.

If there is enough water in the mushy spots, throw a dozen fatheads in there and see if that helps. Can't hurt and they may survive through the winter if your springs produce enough water. Herons might get them if they know they're in there though.

Looks like a water strider (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerridae) to me. They are carnivorous but generally don't bite humans.

Water boatmen swim through the water right-side up(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corixidae), not on top of it. They eat mostly vegetation and do not bite.

Backswimmers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notonectidae) obviously swim through the water upside down and are predatory. They bite. Hard. So wear gloves when you're clearing underwater vegetation from your pond!

I was thinking of backswimmers, but we need a picture!