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Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

I was wondering if there is anything I can add to my rain barrels to keep the mosquitos from hatching. I have quite a few 50 gal barrels and would like too keep the population down a bit this season. I would like to hear from anybody using rain barrels and how you control the mosquitos.
Thanks Phil

6/3/2004 6:34:30 AM

Western Pa.

You can purchase mosquito "dunks" at a local hardware store. They look like little donuts and kill larvae. Or, you could put a tablespoon or two of cooking oil in the barrells. This will keep them from hatching. Thirdly, put a fish or two in the tanks.A bluegill will make short order of eating the larvae. Usually, if you have fish in a body of water, you don't have mosquitos!

6/3/2004 7:13:09 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Summit BT Dunks last up to 10 days & work well during that time. Pre-Strike IGR lasts up to 21 days & works at least as well.

Neither will have any impact on the Pumpkins or the soil organisms.

I wonder if "feeder goldfish" would eat enough larva to justify tossing a couple into the tanks. Or perhaps they'd be too small? More research needed.

Vegetable oil is a great idea so long as the tank is never brought all the way down to empty.

6/3/2004 7:25:42 AM

Western Pa.

I forgot to add that the oil may need to be repeated after mucho rain.

6/3/2004 1:32:26 PM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Thanks guys, I found some stuff called Aqua-Bac or something like that. It says it controls mosquitos in water barrels, but was wondering if it would be safe for the garden. Maybe I should take Kilr's advise and just use cooking oil. I can't find the Dunks up here in Canada. Thanks again for your help.

Phil

6/5/2004 8:50:38 AM