treating mosquito larvae

drew up lots of water last week because we went on a severe ban. then we got all the water from the storm. What can I put in the buckets that won't hurt my plants, they already have larvae in them today and I hate to waste the water. hoping someone has an answer, I can't let them get any bigger.

I bought a $1 worth of feeder fish from Walmart for the pond to keep the larvae in control. Give that a try.

thanks Tim, should have thought of that, didn't think of fish for a bunch of 5 gallon buckets. we did find some old mosquito dunks, and put them in there. Is there anyone that has a home remedy for mosquito dunks though??

Tim, when are you moving?? wish we were all there to help you.

here is what i found online ... http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Urban/mosquito.htm ,
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_9220.html , http://www.cliftonpark.org/ecommunity/enspec/mdunks.htm

I have Bt, but not BTi, I think it's a different strain. I thought I'd use this water so fast they wouldn't have time to breed in it, but then the rains came. Thanks MaVie, I'll see if I can find any of the BTi. Mosquito dunks are all gone for the season here.

I just float some cooking oil on top of the water barrels. Go buy the cheapest you can find (by the gallon) and pour. This will create a layer of oil on the top of the water and not allow air thru nor let the hatching larvae out. My rain barrel has a spigot at the bottom so you can get water out and the oil stays floating on the top instead of having to replace it all the time. However, even if you dip your water out from the top a lot of the oil will move to the side as you get the water below it.

I prefer corn oil, but maybe cuz it's the cheapest! I've also used the Mosquito Dunks and feel safe w/them. (I rely on a lot of Bt around here but use it w/disgression.)

And of course, keeping screens over your barrels will stop the adults from laying eggs in your buckets.

my pleasure to help tiG. the yeast sound good, but i do not know how that will affect the plants. i know the yeast on the 2nd url will have the larvae to explode once they eat the yeast. LOL!

probably won't have this same problem again, not with plant water anyway. just hate to pour out 50 gallons!

oh don't worry tiG, u'll use up that water in no time. LOL!

A science teacher once told me that it only takes mosquitoes three days to go from egg to adult. One feeder fish per bucket is what I use.

thanks! will go out in the morning.

Bonnie,
We are now in VA, been here for over a month now.

well hon, you need to update your town!!! :) hope you love it