Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul by Cynthia Brian

Be aware of mosquitoes in ponds, fountains, and birdbaths this summer

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Now that the sunny weather has finally arrived and summer is around the corner, we have to be proactive with keeping the mosquitoes at bay. In only takes five days for larvae to mature into breeding and biting menaces. Some mosquitoes carry the West Nile virus dangerous to humans, while others endanger the lives of our canine friends by infecting them with heart worm disease. 

Make sure to empty all vessels which contain standing water as even 3 tablespoons of still water can be a breeding ground. If you have a pond or fountain, make sure the water is running. For larger ponds, it is advisable to add mosquito fish which, when mature at one inch of length, can devour up to five hundred mosquito larvae per day. 

In bird baths or other water features without movement, buy Mosquito Dunks at your local hardware store. These circular two inch diameter floating forms contain Bacilllus thuringiensis v. israelensis, slowly releasing the BT on the water surface. It gradually sinks to the bottom where the larvae feed on it and die. The Mosquito Dunks are not harmful to wildlife, fish, or humans. They last three to four weeks with one dunk covering twenty five to hundred surface feet. You can cut them into quarters for smaller areas. 

If you have a large area, live on a farm or ranch, call your Vector Control department to ask about mosquito abatement. They will send out an inspector, normally at no cost to you, to evaluate, spray, and recommend a treatment. They also can provide you with mosquito fish. 

In my California region, we have twenty three kinds of mosquitoes and they can travel up to twenty miles. Make sure to get your neighbors on the program as well so that everyone stays healthy. Mosquitoes are not only pesky, they are perilous to our health.   Happy Summer!

Cynthia Brian is the Goddess Gardener. She wants to be your gardening guide. http:/www.GoddessGardener.com