Container Pond Mosquitoes

[Robotponys]

I hate mosquitoes! No joke, I went outside (at my dad's house) for less than 5 minutes to plant oregano and rosemary and I got at least 25 bites. So I was wondering if I put out a small container pond (a big pot) with loads of plants and a bunch of endlers/guppies/platies/anything that eats mosquito eggs &larvae would it cut down on the breeding? My logic is that they will lay eggs in the pond rather than another place. The fish will eat the eggs and the adults will go DIE. Does this make any sort of sense? Right now I stay indoors whenever I go to his house because going outside means either get mobbed by mosquitoes or spray down with toxic bug spray. We have plenty of spiders, I was admiring them while planting and turned to see my ankle covered with at least 7 mosquitoes. I'm ashamed to say I dropped everything and ran screaming. That is nightmare material.

So, container pond, will it help control the mosquitoes or make it worse?

[kamikazi]

You'd probably be better off choosing fish that can handle the local temperatures. you might be able to find some good natives to serve the purpose. Check out nanfa.org for more info on native fish.

[Robotponys]

I think it should be fine if I take it in during winter and keep it in the shade during summer. I just want something simple for summer to control the mosquitoes! But thanks for your input. I think livebearers would do well.

[WallaceGrover]

I think mosquitoe dunks are safe, I always thought they were full of chemicals but apparently they use a type of bacteria that kills mosquitoe and other insect larvae, but doesn't harm other organisms. I don't really see the point in your strategy though since the other bodies of water will still be utilized by other mosquitoes...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacillu...is_israelensis

[xenxes]

I don't think a pond is effective mosquito control. Wear repellent!

[Robotponys]

Oh well. I can still get a container pond anyway.

[mistergreen]

Grow lemon grass around your garden. It's a natural repellent. Insulate your container pond. I'm assuming this is on the roof since you're in Manhattan? It gets hellish (hot) in Manhattan especially on the roof.

[Diana]

Mosquitoes will fly from other bodies of water, even as small as a gallon or two, so any sort of garbage like a tire or a plastic bag that holds even a little water is enough for them to breed in.

Having your own pond will not tempt them away from other bodies of water.

You can sure protect your own pond from mosquitoes, though.

[they call me bruce]

The best i found for eatin mosquitos are comets but they will come from every where

[PICKLES]

I have an inflatable pool and I usually set it up every summer. The first time I set it up I didn't use chlorine. The next day I found that it was filled with mosquito larve. I went to get one of those feeder fish at Petsmart. I put him in but I guess he was a stupid fish so he didn't eat any mosquito larve. I ended up pouring all the water out. The feeder fish ended up in my pond. Right now he is an adult and he already has kids. I would just get some mosquito fish. Hope I helped!

[ThinkTank]

For the pond, nearly any small fish will eat larvae. Mollies, guppies, platies, maybe small goldfish. If the water surface has some movement, you shouldn't have larvae anyway.

Your pond will not become the neighborhood mosquito trap. I have a mosquito problem in my area also. I've been spraying the yard with repellent with some success.