Fountains add beauty but can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes breed in areas of low-lying standing water. A fountain is prime location for mosquitoes to lay eggs and larvae to hatch, allowing infestations to grow larger. Because mosquitoes are disease carriers, it's important to prevent the insects from breeding in a fountain. A combination of commercial and home remedies allows you to enjoy your fountain without playing a part in the multiplication of these tiny pests. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Rinse out the fountain in your yard every two or three days to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs. Aim the water flow from a hose into the fountain and allow the water to overflow and flush out the old water. Continue this for a few minutes and fill the fountain with fresh water.
2. Vegetable oil keeps female mosquitoes from laying eggs in fountain water.
Add vegetable oil to the fountain water. Use enough so you can see the oil beads on the surface of the water. Oil in the water prevents mosquitoes from laying eggs and any larvae already in the water cannot break through the oily surface.
3. Sprinkle Bti- or methoprene-based larvacide in the fountain. Follow the directions on the packaging. Any larvae remaining in the fountain water will be killed, which interrupts the mosquitoes' ability to multiply.
Tags: fountain water, from laying, from laying eggs, laying eggs, mosquitoes from, mosquitoes from laying, eggs larvae