Mosquitoes are one of the biggest nuisances over warm summers. The small bloodsuckers continue to multiply rapidly and are difficult to combat as soon as they are adult specimens. Because of this, the mosquito larvae must be killed before they can grow into biting adults. So you have to kill the larvae directly in the water, especially the rain barrel and the garden pond, as these are often used as places to lay eggs.

Eliminate mosquito larvae in the water?

Mosquitoes are among the insects that reproduce by laying eggs in stagnant water after a female mosquito lays them there. For the egg laying not only the fertilization by male mosquitoes, easily recognizable by their bushy feelers, but also the blood of other animals, especially mammals, is required. If the eggs were laid in water, they hatch after three days and the larvae are fully grown after about three weeks. Mosquito larvae cannot defend themselves or flee because a water butt or garden pond is limited. So you have three weeks Time to effectively fight the larvae and avert a plague of mosquitoes.

domestic mosquitoes cause severe itching

Prevent

The best thing you can do against the mosquito larvae is to prevent them from laying their eggs. The fewer opportunities you give the female mosquito to lay eggs, the fewer larvae you end up having to kill. You need to pay particular attention to the availability of standing water sources be careful, as these are perfect for the larvae. Among them are:

  • rain barrels
  • garden pond
  • puddles
  • Bowls or other containers that fill up when it rains
  • clogged gutters
  • pools

You don't have to worry about drinking bowls for dogs or other animals. These are used, refilled and cleaned so frequently that the eggs cannot hatch there. When preventing, follow the following points to protect your garden, especially your water butt, as well as possible from the insects:

rain barrel

Rain barrels can easily be covered with fly or special mosquito nets. These prevent the animals from even getting into the barrel and laying their eggs there. In most cases, a cover is not sufficient for this, as the bloodsuckers can get into the gutter via the gutter. In itself, it is sufficient if you cover the open barrel with a grid and fix it with a cord. If the downpipe reaches into the bin, a hole is cut in the fly net, the end of the downpipe is covered with fly screen and the pipe is put back into the bin through the hole.

If you do want to use a lid, you should make sure to keep it closed. Likewise, the lid must not have a hole for the rain gutter, as the insects can easily get inside the bin through this. Only open the bin when it rains and keep the lid closed in dry and especially humid weather. This reduces the chance of mosquitoes getting into the bin

Empty the water tank

Regularly dump out other containers with collected water. It is best to store them in such a way that no water can collect, for example in the shed. Make sure you always use up your watering can completely, as this is also where the mosquitoes can lay their eggs. If you have any water left after watering, it is best to pour it back into the bin immediately. Since watering cans are usually moved during use, mosquitoes avoid them to lay their eggs.

control

From April or May, at the latest when the temperatures are between 18 °C and 20 °C, check your bins regularly for egg packets. If you spot the cluster of eggs, it is best to skim them off with a fine-mesh net. This method is time-consuming but effective and must be carried out throughout spring and autumn. You can even use a large net such as a pool net as they are perfect for that. But watch out for the other residents if you use the net for the pond.

Of course you can always empty your bin if you spot any eggs. However, the water wastage is quite high and ultimately not worth it at all.

pool

You can easily add larvae to the pool chlorine counteract. The agent hinders the development of the eggs and thus the insects cannot even hatch. If you prefer a natural pool, i.e. without chlorine, you should definitely use your pool net and the tarpaulin. If you are not in the water for a long time, just cover it and no longer have to worry about mosquito eggs.

Refrain from covering garden ponds with fly screens, even when the days are muggy. This could disturb the natural cycle of the residents. Garden ponds cannot be protected from mosquitoes unless the water surface is constantly in motion. Nevertheless, the above tips help to significantly reduce the amount of mosquito larvae without wasting valuable water. However, if you want to fight mosquito larvae that have already hatched, you have to resort to harder means.

tip: When leaning forward, also pay attention to the saucers on your flower pots and tubs. These can fill with water and thus enable eggs to be laid.

Fighting mosquito larvae in the rain barrel: instructions

Rain barrels are the most common breeding ground chosen by the pests, especially when there is no pond or other body of water nearby. Because of this, you need to home remedies to fight the larvae so you don't get riddled with bites over the summer. There are two home remedies that you may already have at home and can use immediately:

home remedies

1. Biodegradable dish soap

If you use organic detergent, for example from the following companies, you have an effective home remedy against mosquitoes at hand:

  • Ecover
  • So nice

The detergent lowers the surface tension and the mosquito larvae suffocate. A few drops are enough for this. The advantage of biodegradable detergents are the ingredients. These do not have a negative effect on plants, animals and microorganisms and the washing-up liquid can even be used for watering afterwards.

tip: Do not use detergent with ingredients such as B. Orange oil. This is toxic to aquatic organisms and plants and is difficult to degrade.

2. Vegetable Oil

Vegetable oil also works effectively on the surface tension of the water, but makes the mosquito larvae suffocate even faster. You can use all kinds of oil for this, from olive to rapeseed to sunflower oil. To do this, proceed as follows:

  • only apply the oil to barrels that are not in direct sun
  • since oil floats on the surface of the water, exposure to the sun turns it rancid
  • add 2 - 3 tablespoons to the water
  • stir the surface a bit to distribute the oil even better
  • after the mosquitoes have died, skim off the oil and the "mosquito corpses".

Of both variants, the washing-up liquid is recommended because you do not have to skim it off and it has no side effects as long as it is biodegradable.

Killing mosquito larvae in the garden pond: instructions

Neither vegetable oils nor washing-up liquid may be used to kill mosquito larvae in the pond, even if this is biodegradable. The reason for this are the side effects such as the detergent foaming, which could have negative effects on the pond inhabitants. For garden ponds are therefore exclusively specific used, which are based on natural proteins that have a deadly effect on mosquito larvae. These proteins do not pose a threat to fish, mammals, plants, birds, other insects and various microorganisms and are used e.g. offered by the following companies:

  • Neudorff: 12 to 15 euros for 10 tablets
  • Culinex: 18 to 20 euros for 10 tablets

The duration of action of one tablet is sufficient for about four weeks. This means that one pack will get you through the whole year, depending on the size of the body of water. Normally, one tablet is used for 1,000 liters of water. Just throw them in the garden pond and the active ingredients will kill the larvae. However, make sure that your mucous membranes do not come into direct contact with the tablet. Your eyes in particular could suffer serious damage.

tip: You can use the protein supplements in the bin without any problems, since they can be used in natural and artificial bodies of water or in containers filled with water. Simply dose according to the dosing instructions.

Category:

Animals in the garden