Mesquitoes

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Ok, so I have mosquitoes in my rain barrel filter. The only thing I can think is that larva got sucked up into the filter, as this is a closed barrel system. Is there a fish friendly way to kill them or get them out without leaving the lid of the barrel off? Do the mosquito blocks work well along with being fish safe? I have never had to use one before. Thanks in advance.
 
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Woe betide any skeeter so much as making the slightest touch on the surface when water spiders, whirlygigs, water beetles, dragonflies stake their claim on a tub

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Don't try this without a little research first,but I hear a few drops of citrus oil on the water zaps Muskoka Hummingbird larvae without harming the fishies... I've seen articles where they've used that in natural bogs and swamps to control "skeeters" without harming the aquatic life, and it's biodegradable. If I'm wrong I apologize, but I know I did read something on it a few years ago.
 
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Don't try this without a little research first,but I hear a few drops of citrus oil on the water zaps Muskoka Hummingbird larvae without harming the fishies... I've seen articles where they've used that in natural bogs and swamps to control "skeeters" without harming the aquatic life, and it's biodegradable. If I'm wrong I apologize, but I know I did read something on it a few years ago.
I've heard of this method as well. The oil prevents insects from floating on the water's surface tension, and basically sucks them down into the water. Of course this will also affect any beneficial insects, and I do not believe it has any affect on larvae already in the water, it just prevents more eggs from being laid.
 
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Do you think I would just be better off leaving the lid off for awhile so they can leave and go bother someone else? I and frankly apprehensive about the citrus oil in the water. They are obviously new ones due to the size that they are.
 
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I was going to suggest just propping up the lid a little to allow spiders and such to get in and eat the mosquitoes, but unfortunately that would also allow in more adult mosquitoes to lay more eggs. I'm not familiar with the rain barrel filter... is there a lot of water movement inside it? If the surface of the water moves a lot, then you are safe to leave the lid off (mosquitoes will only lay eggs in calm water). If the water does not move, then the dunks are going to be the easiest solution.
 

addy1

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Throw a few mosquito fish in..................biters gone
 
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Mosquito's will continue to lay larvae in your rain barrel during hot/warm weather. Any standing water is a potential home for these pests. The only solutions are continual eradication or once the larvae is destroyed maintain a sealed container. Sorry for the not so good news.
 
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I think they actually got sucked into my sealed container as larva. I will try the dunks. I am afraid mosquito fish will die in the filter or get sucked through it with the vacuum this filter creates.
 
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I think they actually got sucked into my sealed container as larva. I will try the dunks. I am afraid mosquito fish will die in the filter or get sucked through it with the vacuum this filter creates.

If necessary you could somehow tie the dunk to your rain barrel with a string. One dunk should last a month. Good luck!
 
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I've heard of this method as well. The oil prevents insects from floating on the water's surface tension, and basically sucks them down into the water. Of course this will also affect any beneficial insects, and I do not believe it has any affect on larvae already in the water, it just prevents more eggs from being laid.
I suppose it could affect beneficial insects, but it does kill the mosquito larvae. They hang by their tails from the surface of the water via surface tension. I understand that they breath air at that stage via a little snorkel at the tip of the abdomen. The way I understand it is that the citrus oil prevents them from breathing thus killing them, and that the very small amount of oil it self only has a very short life before it biodegrades. Anyways .... just a thought.

P.S. I too have to deal with these pest, and I'm not familiar with "dunks". Sorry for the noob question, but could you please tell me what they are? Thanks... and good luck with your skeeter problem ;)

Paul

P.P.S. - found them .... might give them a try myself. :)
 
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I think the dunks only prevent the larvae from hatching. I dont think it will kill the hatched larvae. I use them in my rain barrels. Suppose to be safe for pets and fish too I believe.
 
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I suppose it could affect beneficial insects, but it does kill the mosquito larvae. They hang by their tails from the surface of the water via surface tension. I understand that they breath air at that stage via a little snorkel at the tip of the abdomen. The way I understand it is that the citrus oil prevents them from breathing thus killing them, and that the very small amount of oil it self only has a very short life before it biodegrades. Anyways .... just a thought.

P.S. I too have to deal with these pest, and I'm not familiar with "dunks". Sorry for the noob question, but could you please tell me what they are? Thanks... and good luck with your skeeter problem ;)

Paul

P.P.S. - found them .... might give them a try myself. :)

They sell them in packages of 8 or so. They look like little donuts and they float. Just add to any standing water and they prevent larvae from hatching.
 

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