Mosquitoes And Water Gardens

What could be nicer than a lovely garden pond in your backyard? The lush growth rising above the water, graceful fish darting about and the soothing sound of the water. These are just a few of the reasons people are drawn to water gardens.

But when you think about adding a water feature to your garden, you are torn, because you know that a charming pond can also be a mosquito nursery. And, everyone is aware of mosquitoes and their ability to bite and spread disease.

Mosquitoes do need water to breed, but at the same time, there are so many effective ways to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in ponds, you should not let that stop you. Water gardeners are in a unique position; they can be wet spaces that actually prevent mosquitoes from breeding.

Just a few simple precautions are all you need to feel safe and enjoy such a wonderful addition to the landscape.

• Have moving water in your water garden. Mosquitoes will not lay eggs in running water. The newly hatched mosquito must rest on the water's surface for a few minutes to let its wings dry. If the water is moving, the female mosquito will not lay eggs there.
• Get some mosquito fish for your pond. Mosquito fish (gambusia affinis) are very aggressive predators of mosquito larvae. They are also aggressive to other fish and will also eat dragonfly larvae, or nymphs. If mosquito fish are too predatory for your particular tastes, several other types of fish readily consume mosquito larvae, such as guppies, killifish, and small goldfish.
• Add dragonfly larvae, or nymphs, to your pond. They are voracious predators of mosquito larvae, and while the mosquito larvae stay in that stage for only a few days, the dragonfly nymphs stay in the larval stage for up to two years, and can prey on many generations of mosquito larvae. In addition, when they become adults, the dragonfly feeds on adult mosquitoes too.
• Invite toads into your garden. One toad can consume up to 100 mosquitoes and slugs per night. Toads lay their eggs in water, so the pond will attract them, and if happy with its environment, a toad will grace your garden for up to 20 years.

If water gardening appeals to you, just educate yourself, take the needed precautions, and get ready to enjoy the beauty and serenity a water feature adds to your home.

Article provided by Dynamic Pest Control