Ponds & the West Nile Virus

[Melody]

As the West Nile Virus approaches Vancouver Island, I thought a discussion was in order.

While no cases have been reported on Vancouver Island, the virus is creeping closer.
Last year, three human West Nile virus infections were reported in Washington State. The Vancouver Island Health Authority (http://www.viha.ca/mho/disease/west_nile_virus.htm) says the proximity of the virus warrants heightened monitoring efforts. VIHA is asking the public to reduce opportunities for mosquitos to breed by removing standing water in buckets, wheelbarrows and tires. Water in pools, fountains, birdbaths and flower pot trays should be refreshed every couple of days. ~ Oak Bay News (http://www.oakbaynews.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=23&cat=46&id=1016744&more=0)

- Make sure your ponds have good water movement.

- Consider Mosquito larvae loving fish, such as Guppies, H. Furmosa and Gambusia species. Most fish will eat it, if not all, but some especially love it.

Health Canada (http://www.westnilevirus.gc.ca/) provides info on the West Nile Virus, as well as info on mosquito control (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/pmra-arla/english/consum/mosquito-e.html).

Being responsible pond-keepers is a step in the right direction.

Any other ideas or thoughts? I know the whole situation makes people nervous, so the more we can help each other, the better.

[WaterPond]

If you need larger fish in your pond to controll mosquitos, look into shubunkins, they are well know larvea eaters.

Also(not really pond related), if you have things like rain barrels to collect rain water for gardens add lemon scented dishsoap in it. It wont hurt plants. I reccomend getting biodegradable stuff though.

Keep your filter running smoothly. If it dies down for a few days because of a clog or something that will give mosquitos time to breed.

Great thread Mel. Even if we can get through to a few people. that can reduce the mosquito population by thousands, or more.

[Melody]

Great tips! Thanks for taking the time to post them. Its an important issue and the pond community can really make an impact.

[peggyd3]

You can throw a couple of small goldfish in your rain barrels as well. I do that with both of my rain barrels and it works great. I also throw in a hyacinth or two just to give them some cover and something to nibble on.
peggy

[Melody]

I hadn't even thought of rain barrels - good thinkin':smile: . Thanks for sharing the tip Peggy!

[Toirtis]

One word: Aquabac

[Melody]

I know their only mosquito larvae, but man that seems like a slow, painful death.

Yes, I am being ridiculous, can't be helped...lol.

[Soggybottom]

One easy but slimy approach is to throw some cooking oil on the standing water. It will spread out and form an oxygen blocking barrier, stopping the larvae from breathing (also turning your water into a greasy stinking anaerobic mess :)

Aquabac seems like a better bet though if fish aren't possible, Bacillus thuringiensis gets a lot of use in horticulture...

[baycitybettas]

West Nile has unfortunately been here for some time. It is actually illegal in Ontario (for a few years now) to have any "standing water". Rainbarrels are a definite no-no.

An adult Betta eats approximate 1/2 million mosquito larva a year. They are highly effective predators when it comes to small, wiggly things. I'd give one of them a whirl in a garden pond. You could also keep more then one if you went with females. They are just as predatory.

[ChrissyFishy]

I wonder how they could enforce that? Maybe neighbors report it? Its very scary:wideeyed: thank you for all the suggestions!!!!!

[Melody]

Well we've broken records for the West Nile this year...

So far this summer, 1,790 people have become infected with West Nile, compared with the record of 1,481 cases in 2003. ~ Globe & Mail

Story here (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070914.wwestnile0914/BNStory/National/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20070914.wwestnile0914).

[Melody]

New pond season and a new warning....

New West Nile virus strain may worsen epidemic (http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/pic455003-new-west-nile-virus/)

[CACAdmin]

All the more reason to ensure there is waterflow in your ponds... standing water invites mosquitoes... and your fish need waterflow too... helps with oxygenation of teh water.

[Soggybottom]

I keep seeing people with random bodies of water in their yards but my suggestions to deal with it have earned me the label of "paranoid". One family was building a pool and the basin was built but the liner wasn't going in for a while. When you walked up to the puddle, it swam away from you :twitcy:. I kinda wanted to bring a net, there were enough there for a nice live food feast in all my tanks...

[CACAdmin]

A feast for your fish, but if you wait until all those larva hatch, you will be the feast on the menu.

[fishykisses]

look what lives just behind my pond!!!
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b245/fishykisses/DSCF3917.jpg
Wonderful eh?!
we've talked to our neighbors about the dangers of having the stagnant water for all of us, not to mention the eye sore but they refuse to do anything.

[CACAdmin]

I think they would drain and cover it or something. In addition to the problem with standing water being prime breeding ground for mosquitoes, a large hole in the ground presents a danger of someone falling into it. :wideeyed:

[Soggybottom]

Jeez, health and safety hazard and a waste of a nice big pool :no:. Could make a pretty skookum pond :yes:

Perhaps your only course of action is water balloons filled with a bleach solution or something...that thing looks guaranteed to breed.

[Melody]

There are places like Dona Ana County (http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_10107915)who give out Gambusia affinis to anyone with ponds/water features in order to control the Mosquito population. Does anyone know of a similar program in Canada? I know you can get them cheaper than feeder goldfish sometimes so free really isn't the issue, but I was curious.

Gambusia affinis eats it's own weight in Mosquito larvae everyday. They have been used for public waterways but that didn't work out so well when they started impacting local species. They are still promoted for private mosquito control though.

I have the Dalmation variety, which is more expensive due to rarity, but a lot of pond stores can supply you with the regular Gambusia if you are having mosquito issues. :yes: