A solar-powered fountain helps control mosquitoes.
Not only do mosquitoes carry diseases like West Nile virus, but these buzzing and biting insects can ruin a summer evening outdoors. Preventing mosquitoes starts with eliminating areas of standing water in which their eggs and larvae develop. Backyard ponds and birdbaths make excellent nurseries for immature mosquitoes. However, an underwater solar-powered fountain will let you keep your water feature while thwarting mosquitoes. Does this Spark an idea?
Why It Works
Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in still water. Over the following two weeks, these eggs hatch into larvae and then pupae. Mature pupae then surface to shed their skin and dry. Once dry, the mosquitoes are ready to fly. By installing a fountain on your pond or birdbath, you keep water moving. This discourages females from laying eggs, reduces the number of eggs that have been laid from hatching, hinders larval development and keeps pupae wet and unable to fly.
Choosing a Fountain
The most important factor in deciding which fountain to buy is the size of your water feature. A birdbath or small pond will require a much smaller pump size than a pond that holds 100 gallons or more. You should also consider a solar-powered fountain with battery backup. The battery stores energy so you can use your fountain on cloudy days or in the evening. Other factors to consider are the length of wire from the panels to the fountain, the style of the fountain and the cost.
Location and Setup
Typically, small pumps and nozzles of a solar-powered fountain get submerged in the pond or birdbath. Medium and large pumps are housed separately from the actual fountain nozzle. Place the fountain so it is just under the water surface to get the maximum effect from the water show. Some smaller fountains have the solar panels directly attached to the fountain, but medium and large fountains will have panels connected by a wire to the fountain. The panels can be positioned anywhere to receive as much sunlight as possible during the day.
Other Methods
Your solar-powered fountain is an excellent place to start with your mosquito control. Other ways to fight these biting insects include placing gambusia fish in your pond, using mosquito dunks and providing housing in your yard for mosquito-gobbling bats. Be on the lookout for any areas of standing water in your yard, such as drain plates under pots, gutters or buckets.
Tags: solar-powered fountain, areas standing, areas standing water, biting insects, pond birdbath, standing water