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Pond questions Pond questions, got one? send it in Mosquitoes
I have got a problem with mosquitoes this
summer and it is putting us off using the garden in the evenings. Is
there anything I can put in the pond to stop them breeding? A friend has
suggested putting a very thin layer of cooking oil on the pond.
Kidderminster, UK
Never put oil of any description on the water surface of a pond, you will, in effect be putting a lid on it and stopping the exchange of oxygen. (which will kill any livestock in your pond, and wont work if you have a fountain or water fall)
You have to understand how mosquitoes
live to understand what you can do.
Basically they will lay their eggs in
a pool of water, no matter how small, this can also include the odd
droplets you may have sitting on any plants you have, any water sitting
under any plants in pots, almost anywhere infact.
By removing any pools of water (as
mentioned above) you are removing their breeding ground, also check the
area for standing water such as water storage butts, upturned lids
(anything that will hold water)
Goldfish are supposed to enjoy
mosquito larvae as a snack, so if you have not got any fish, I suggest
you get some cheap goldfish.
If your mosquito problem is really
bad you may also wish to consider an external use electric fly killer
which is available form any good diy store, but the easiest solution as
I said is to remove any unwanted standing water.
8-2-08
Shooting nozzle I have just brought a pump for my fountain but every time I switch it on the nozzle just shoots off why? and what can i do about it? Some pumps do have push on nozzles, if yours comes off it is because the pressure is too high, if it is running a waterfall too, you can increase the flow to the waterfall which will decrease the pressure to the fountain, if you have just a fountain (sounds like you have) Then you should "open the jet" more, most are adjustable. if it is not then it means the pump is too powerful or the nozzle is too small. If how ever this has recently started to happen it is likely the nozzle is getting blocked. The better pumps have screw on nozzles to prevent this from happening. 4 08 Old carpet Can i use an old carpet for a pond liner underlay? There are many problems using carpet as an underlay: Your feet will be cold as you have just taken the bedroom carpet, carpets are usually thick and so hard to fold into the required shape, they do not fit the soil excavation contours that well, they will also rot after a few years giving no support / protection to the pond liner
Feeble fountain My pond fountain is feeble, it was taller when I first installed it can you help? It sounds like a blockage. It could be in the fountain nozzle or on the pump "cage" or if you have an old pump the "Screening sponge" Depending on the time of year depends what will be the most probable contaminant. Spring is not usually a problem, summer it will be grass cuttings, autumn / winter it will be leaves. As these things get blown about some will land in your pond, the pump may then suck them in and over time they will block the pump and cause a reduced flow rate. All pumps need maintaining this is just part of that maintenance, there is not much you can do about things being blown into your pond, but if you have grass, be careful when cutting it doesn't go into the pond, and in autumn you can cover the pond with a net, but the small items will still get in. 11 08
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