West Nile Virus
I’ve been reading a report by
http://WestNile.ca.gov (California West Nile Virus Website)
and seeing the numbers of people affected is appalling. They
reported 164 human cases in 23 counties, with
10 fatalities (so far). They show a total of 48 counties
affected by West Nile Virus. I am also a horse-lover. They
report 16 horses to date, with 5 fatalities,
in 9 counties. This is very distressing news! It should also
be distressing for pond owners… since everyone is looking
suspiciously at any bodies of water as potential breeding
sites. With 673 positive mosquito samples, in 22 counties,
collected by the government workers, how serious is this to
you? Is your government throwing tax dollars in the millions at
this problem, with little measurable success? So, in addition
to being distressing it is also very frustrating.
EVERYONE should
be using larvacides on their property. There are natural Bti
larvacides that will not build up in the soil layers, as
chemicals will, and are very effective in eliminating the
growing mosquito larva. Some are EPA registered and safe for
fish, pets, and other wildlife. Chemicals will leave a residue
that builds up over time and does not break down. Bti can be
prepared and applied with a sprayer, so why are the governments
not using it?
Mosquito Dunks and
Microbe-Lift/BMC both contain the Bti bacteria.
The liquid should be used as a spray to cover all areas of your
yard, including potted plants (and the pond).
Do mosquitoes
only breed in standing water? No, they will breed in any moist
area, flower pot tray or bird bath. I’ve found the larvae in my
vortex filters where the fish do not go. If you look closely,
very closely, you can most likely find them in and around your
water lilies too. They will cling to the bottoms of the lily
pads and stems until disturbed. Fish will not eat them once
they are large enough to eat regular pellets. Mosquitoes simply
do not provide enough protein, so the fish don’t even bother.
So, just because you have fish in the pond is no assurance of no
having mosquitoes hatching from your pond. Look around the
edges of the pond and in amongst the rocks that line the pond.
You will find them. Use the Bti and get rid of them in 12-24
hours, before they hatch to fly off in search of food.
The “heat is
on” for pond owners in California right now!
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