Backyard ponds can be truly beautiful, but can also be a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
A backyard pond can be a serene and enjoyable spot in which to spend time in the outdoors. Whether you fill the pond with fish, decorate it with a fountain or just enjoy the clean, fresh water, a pond can provide soothing effects and an escape from your everyday struggles. If the pond becomes infested with mosquitoes, however, your entire experience can be ruined by the buzzing, biting pests and the itching, burning marks they leave behind. Keep mosquitoes from turning your backyard pond into a breeding spot. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Stock your pond with fish that eat mosquitoes and mosquito larvae. Mosquito fish, goldfish and koi will all eat mosquitoes at each stage of development. If the mosquitoes find that your pond is not a safe location, they will not remain and will not lay their eggs in the water.
2. Trim surrounding plants, including grass, bushes and trees, away from the edge of pond. Plants that hang over the pond's edge and touch the water provide shelter for mosquitoes to lay their eggs.
3. Clean all organic material and debris from your pond with a water skimmer or with your hands. As flowers, fallen leaves, fruits and other materials decompose in your pond they can kill fish, eliminating your first line of defense from mosquitoes.
4. Remove aquatic plants like algae from the pond's surface. Thick aquatic plants prevent the fish from getting around and devouring all mosquitoes and their larvae, and also provide excellent shelter and protection for mosquito eggs.
5. Trim back high overhanging branches or bushes so that your pond receives at least half a day of full sunlight each day. Direct sunlight will help to prevent the growth of algae and other plants that can protect mosquitoes.
6. Add a fountain or other form of running water to your pond. Mosquitoes will not lay eggs in running water, which is not safe for the eggs. Be sure that water does not pool in any area of your fountain, and install drains to keep water moving at all times.
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