ParlorjazzJim
Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 21
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| Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 12:07 pm Post subject: Outdoor fountain issues |
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I've had my backyard re-landscaped into a bi-level garden space. On the lower level is a built-in waterfall that holds approximately 75-100 gal. of water spilling over a stacked slate background into the reservoir below. The reservoir holds the pump and lighting that is directed up to illuminate the stacked-slate backdrop from below. My concern is this:
When we turn the waterfall off at night, it can allow mosquitoes to breed in the water that is then, still. Can someone steer me towards a chemical or preferably, something "natural" that can be added to the water that would kill any mosquito larvae and/or repel mosquitoes and not damage the pump submerged below?
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ParlorJazzJim
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eileen
 Forum Moderator
Scotland
Posts: 18013
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| Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 2:55 pm Post subject: |
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Have you any fish or wildlife in your garden pond? If you have then I don't think you'll need to worry yourself too much about the mosquito larvae as the majority of them will get eaten before they get a chance to mature and develop into adults. Even other insects in the water will feed on the larvae.
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Allison
Chicago
Posts: 32
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| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 2:10 am Post subject: |
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We have had great luck with Mosquito Barrier, available online. You mix it with water and spray it around your yard and it really forms a barrier against mosquitos. I don't know what it would do if mixed in the pond, but you essentially would be keeping mosquitos away anyway. Its organic -- mostly garlic, so no chemicals. It does produce a heavy garlic smell for a day, but then goes away and lasts about 3-4 weeks. Otherwise, I wonder if a few drops of bleach in the pond would work?
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petunia
northern michigan
Posts: 2246
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| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:17 am Post subject: |
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May I ask why do you have to turn the pump off at nite? I have a pump that sprays water up-I leave it going all throught the nite. As Eileen mentioned if you have fish or frogs they would eat any larvae. I don't use chemicals with fish and frogs. I myself don't recomend it only because I think a pond is better if its all natural but thats only my opinon.
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Petunia
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kuntrygal
Texas ~ Zone 8
Posts: 3436
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| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 12:41 pm Post subject: |
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Petunia that is what I was going to ask! I have never had a water feature, but why do they have to be turned off? To save electricity or what? Seems like it would be good for the pump to keep it going! Oh I don't know ... 
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Gaylyn ~ 2277 ~
"I'm so far behind, I thought I was first"
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, It's about learning to dance in the rain"
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ParlorjazzJim
Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 21
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| Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 6:09 pm Post subject: outdoor fountain and mosquitos |
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No, I don't have fish or anything "live" in the water fall. I wouldn't consider putting chemicals in the water if that were the case. Presently, I do put some bleach in the water, but I don't know if common household bleach will eventually adversely affect the pump, that's why I'm asking if anyone knows of a product that is specifically for man-made ponds/pools/fountains/waterfalls, etc. I figure that all of those applications deal with water and pumps so maybe a product used in one is good for all (quantity of product used depending on water volume,of course) I will research pool/pond supplies.
We turn the fountain off at night as one of many energy saving measures and because (although I can't imagine anyone complaining) the waterfall is quite loud and can be heard throughout my house (4 floors).
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ParlorJazzJim
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Pianolady
Zone 4b Iowa
Posts: 539
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| Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 6:59 pm Post subject: |
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You could use mosquito dunks. But, I don't know how you will keep the dunks from falling from the top reservoir. They are available at most hardware and lumber stores. I believe they make a granule version too, but I don't know if that would gum up your pump.
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Joanna
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 12:08 pm Post subject: |
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A very good remedy is sulphate of copper. Just add a little (one tablespoon) to the water and everything will be killed.
I know this because I have a big aquarium and had some similar troubles.
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travelingbooklover
Kuwait
Posts: 262
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| Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:07 am Post subject: |
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I kept my fountain pump on all the time back in the U.S. But in standing water, I used Mosquito Dunks (a biological mosquito control) because they do not harm birds or fish. Once frogs and lizards found their way to my water, I no longer needed the dunks. It has worked the same way here in Kuwait. When mosquitos started entering my outdoor gardens, I placed a little piece (instructions on how much to use are on the back of the paper) wherever I had standing water. (As in planter drip trays.) They controlled the mosquitoes until the birds and lizards found my gardens. Until I used the dunks, I tried all sorts of other ways to rid the area of mosquitoes (except for poisons) and this was the only one that worked. It does take a little bit of time as it kills the larvae not the adults.
Good luck! I wish I had a waterfall here!
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