I have a small pool full of tadpolls.It also has a large population of mosquito larva.How can I get rid of the mosquitos without killing the tadpolls?
Controling Mosquito larva question
You can get Mosquito Dunks. They work really well and won't harm your tads. They are available at both Home Depot and Lowes.
Thanks Sunny,Thats what I needed to know.The Dunks will go in tomorrow.
minnows.
I have some native fish called "mosquito fish" for obvious reason. They are live bearers and look a lot like a very plain guppy but slimmer. They grow at most 1 1/2". Had them in my ponds for years. Think even if the pond freezes to the bottom they survive somehow. And no mosquito larvae anywhere.
Was dipping some nice native plant (that looked like it could be good for oxygen in the pond)when I netted a few of them. Check some of your local small streams. Just be careful you don't introduce other critters you don't want - like leeches etc. HTH. Heather
They are called gambusia...
Here's a listing on ebay for them. Usually, once you get some, you never had to buy more, they breed fairly easily.
cut and paste:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Live-Gambusia-mosquito-fish-pond-koi-aquarium-100-/390218422141?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0
I use dunks in all my standing water except my pond... I have a little stock tank pond in which I have 6 goldfish.. they seem to keep the mosquito larvae in check there. I used to buy my dunks at home depot but they quit selling them here so I went to e-bay... bought a lifetime supply for $80! LOL I have several 20 gallon tubs I fill when it rains so use pieces in the tubs to keep the water until I use it... rain water is like gold here.
Tammie
I have 5 small goldfish in my small pond and I see them picking at the sides all the time. So far no larva and I do look.
C
goldfish. I had water lilies in a big plastic tub and mozzie lava turned up in there so i put one goldfish in there and didnt feed him to much and the lava was gone.
skeeter larvae dont live in running water, either
They do have little plug in machines, not really a pump, but it quivers the surface of the water, so the mosquitoes don't lay their eggs. They use them in birdbaths, etc.
oh, yeah, I seen those advertised, never used one though. Wonder how well they work?
Guppies and goldfish are your cheapest option i think. My pond has a pump and filter and i dont think the mozzies would lay in there with the water movement anyway. I had lots of water lilies in tubs and had to add a goldfish to each to stop the mozzie lava and some of the algae. Hardly fed the fish and it was always fat. hehe!