Mosquito Control in Outside Water-filled Propagation Trays

From: PTOWEN7844 at aol.com on 1997.06.16 at 14:47:13(847) Does anyone have any practical advice (based on experience) on how to control mosquitos in shallow trays used outside to propagate bog and other moisture-loving plants and not "kill" or "damage" the emerging seedlings or more established plants. I keep the water depth fairly shallow (0.5" to 1") in my propagation trays which are plastic-lined wooden boxes 2' x 8' x 3". I keep the plants in these boxes for several months, which coincides with the height of mosquito season. With no circulation or aeration of the water, the mosquitos have been quite prolific! Is there any "seedling friendly" product that would be effective against mosquitos in this situation? Any other suggestions on low-cost equipment to propagate these plants outside other than in water-filled trays? My mosquito-bitten neighbors and I will be eternally grateful for a solution. Park T. Owen +More Knoxville, TN - Zone 6B/7A

From: tjw at chos001.cho.ge.com (Tim Williams Ext. 5529) on 1997.06.16 at 16:17:40(851) >Does anyone have any practical advice (based on experience) on how to control >mosquitos in shallow trays used outside to propagate bog and other >moisture-loving plants and not "kill" or "damage" the emerging seedlings or >more established plants. 25 years ago, in my college days, I worked for the City of Virginia Beach in mosquito control. We raised and released mosquito fish - Gambusia sp? They were very effective in controlling mosquitos in shallow, seasonally filled depressions. I have also use common guppies from the pet store. Both fish are effective if algae and other food is available in addition to larvae. I have seen Gambusia flourshing and reproducing in water filled ruts in dirt roads. Tim Williams +More tim.williams@cho.ge.com

From: grsjr at juno.com (George R Stilwell, Jr.) on 1997.06.16 at 16:22:15(852) Park, I believe it's called window screening. Comes in non-rust plastic in roll form as narrow as 2' and as long as you like for peanuts per foot. A couple of clothes-hanger-wire bent into hoops will complete the tent. A brick or other fastener at the edges will hold it in place. If they can't get in, they won't lay eggs. And even if a couple do, the maturing larva can't get out. Otherwise, make the troughs deeper and get gold fish. Ray +More

From: Rand Nicholson <writserv at nbnet.nb.ca> on 1997.06.16 at 19:17:23(854) >Does anyone have any practical advice (based on experience) on how to control >mosquitos in shallow trays used outside to propagate bog and other >moisture-loving plants and not "kill" or "damage" the emerging seedlings or >more established plants. (snip) >Park T. Owen >Knoxville, TN - Zone 6B/7A Put a drop or so of detergent in each tray every so often. The mosquito larvae will drown. Rand +More (From the mosquito laden North)

From: plantnut at shadow.net (Dewey Fisk) on 1997.06.17 at 02:59:51(858) for such a small area that you are discussing... how about a drop or two of some type of insecticide... That's the way I do it.... Dewey +More Dewey E. Fisk, Plant Nut THE PHILODENDRON PHREAQUE

From: "Tony Ogas" <sago at netxn.com> on 1997.06.17 at 03:03:50(859) Just joined and am excited to learn more about aroids. Rebecca Ogas +More sago@netxn.com

From: "Julius Boos" <ju-bo at msn.com> on 1997.06.17 at 03:07:16(860) ---------- Sent: Monday, June 16, 1997 10:47 AM To: Julius Boos +More Subject: Mosquito Control in Outside Water-filled Propagation Trays >>>Does anyone have any practical advice (based on experience) on how to control mosquitos in shallow trays used outside to propagate bog and other moisture-loving plants and not "kill" or "damage" the emerging seedlings or more established plants. I keep the water depth fairly shallow (0.5" to 1") in my propagation trays which are plastic-lined wooden boxes 2' x 8' x 3". I keep the plants in these boxes for several months, which coincides with the height of mosquito season. With no circulation or aeration of the water, the mosquitos have been quite prolific! Is there any "seedling friendly" product that would be effective against mosquitos in this situation? Any other suggestions on low-cost equipment to propagate these plants outside other than in water-filled trays? My mosquito-bitten neighbors and I will be eternally grateful for a solution. Park T. Owen Knoxville, TN - Zone 6B/7A<<< Dear Park, Try a few granules of Dursban insecticide in your water saucers. You have to experiment to get it just right. One year I put a drop or two of the copper liquid thay you mix with water to spray on mangoes as a fungicide and it killed the larvae quickly with no sign of ill effects to my plants; I guess you`ll have to experiment with dosages. What plants do you grow? I have Urospatha, Cyrtosperma, Dracontioides, and others. Look forward to hearing from you. Julius ju-bo@msn.com

Note: this is a very old post, so no reply function is available.