If you find mosquito larvae in your inside fountain, either your fountain was turned off for a period of time or some part of it contains still water. Mosquitoes will only lay their eggs in water that is still. Getting rid of these larvae is easily accomplished. By taking some additional actions, you can prevent a recurrence of the problem from happening again. Does this Spark an idea?
Identifying Mosquito Larvae
Mosquito larvae, or wrigglers, live for about five to seven days in the water before transforming into pupals. Larvae are easily seen in clear water with a light background. They look like tiny, thin pieces of wood. An easy way to check your fountain for wrigglers is to quickly scoop up some water and place it in a clear glass. If you see something moving around, you probably have mosquito larvae in your fountain.
Getting Rid of the Larvae
How you get rid of the mosquito larvae from your indoor fountain will depend on how large it is. Draining is the best way of ensuring that all the larvae in the fountain are removed. Dump the water in a location that will prevent the larvae from finding a new water source. In larger fountains, you may want to treat the water with either Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) or Methoprene. Both chemicals are harmful to mosquito larvae but safe for fish, pets, waterfowl and humans when used correctly, according to the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture.
Keeping Mosquitoes out
Ensure your screens are in good repair to keep mosquitoes out of your home.
Keeping mosquitoes out of your home is the best way at keeping mosquitoes away from your indoor fountain. Inspect your doors and windows, and make any repairs necessary. Ensure all your window and door screens are 16 mesh per inch or finer. Replace white porch lights with yellow bulbs, and keep the lights off whenever possible.
Preventing Future Problems
Keeping larvae out of your fountain is a multistep process. Keeping it running so the water is constantly moving will prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs in your fountain. If this is not possible, you will need to drain your fountain each week or treat it with Bti or Methoprene every 30 days. Another option is to stock your fountain with fish that will eat the mosquitoes, such as guppies, goldfish or mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis).
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