Killing mosquito larvae

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E

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Okay, due to someones retarded pruning job on the huge old Paper Birch in our yard, theres a hole in it that's full of water, and is harboring mosquito larva.

Thought about gasoline, but that doesen't seem like a very good thing to put inside a live tree. I don't really want to buy any pesticides either.

I tried killing them by putting a tablespoon of chemical fertilizer into the water, but they're still alive... And now there's strange green stuff growing at the waters edge. :Q :p

In another 5 years or so, the hole will be closed.. lol.

Suggestions? :p
 
iamme

iamme

Lifer
Jul 21, 2001
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mosquito fish (suggested by notfred.....er Tyler.....a while back) is supposed to work in lakes. not sure about a small place like that. maybe you could put in a few and let them gobble up the larvae :)
 
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rgwalt

Diamond Member
Apr 22, 2000
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The fertilizer provided nutrients, which probably caused algae to grow. How big is the hole? Could you remove the water by bailing it out? Once the pool of water is gone, put a piece of plastic over the hole to keep rain water out. That would probably be the way to go if you don't want to use chemicals.

Another option would be to use vegetable oil to make a thick film on top of the pool. It won't necessarily kill the larva, but when they hatch they will die because they won't be able to get through the oil film.

Ryan
 
A

Actaeon

Diamond Member
Dec 28, 2000
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This is gonna sound stupid...

Seal the hole?

Can't do much harm if they can't fly out/eat people!
 
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Fandu

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Malathion is the cheapest and 'safest' mosquito insecticide that I'm aware of. DDT also works well, but good luck finding any.
 
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bentwookie

Golden Member
Aug 3, 2002
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Originally posted by: 4Lclovergirl
bleach
Click to expand...

yeah bleach would probably do it...but that hole will get worse and eventually kill the tree, so why not cut the whole thing down.
 
T

TheNinja

Lifer
Jan 22, 2003
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Go to the local lawn and garden center. I've seen this stuff to put in standing water that will kill larva, it was fairly cheap if I remember right too. Otherwise put some dry ice in there and freeze em. Or boil them by torching the water. I can think of all kinds of fun ways to get rid of them.
 
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BennyD

Banned
Sep 1, 2002
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i think heating the water is a good idea, maybe 90 C?

i think that mosquito's larva don't survive in moving water so you could fit a pump :D
 
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rgwalt

Diamond Member
Apr 22, 2000
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If you have a power-washer, just blast the suckers out of the hole. I'm still thinking that vegetable oil is the safest and easiest way of dealing with them without using chemicals or pesticides. Bleach could harm the tree, but would be effective.

Vinegar, lemon juice, or a can of diet coke would be another good option. If you lower the pH of the water enough, you'll kill the little devils.

Ryan
 
E

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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The hole is pretty small, maybe 4" in diameter, I really don't know how far down the water goes though, I'm not about to stick my fingers in there. :p Don't think the fish idea would work, although it would be cool. :)
Originally posted by: 4Lclovergirl
bleach
Click to expand...
I didn't think of that! That does sound like a good idea.
Originally posted by: Actaeon
This is gonna sound stupid...

Seal the hole?

Can't do much harm if they can't fly out/eat people!
Click to expand...
With what?
Originally posted by: Fandu
Malathion is the cheapest and 'safest' mosquito insecticide that I'm aware of. DDT also works well, but good luck finding any.
Click to expand...
I don't really want to spray pesticides. The tree is right next to a small underground spring that is active when it's wet. Shame on you for suggesting DDT. :frown:
Originally posted by: bentwookie
Originally posted by: 4Lclovergirl
bleach
Click to expand...

yeah bleach would probably do it...but that hole will get worse and eventually kill the tree, so why not cut the whole thing down.
Click to expand...
The tree won't ever completely die unless it gets blown over by the wind. We're pretty sheltered here though, and it's obvious that it's a pretty old tree.

Besides the cut that I'm talking about, someone cut the huge second trunk(about 2 1/2' in diameter) off, and it's just this huge rotting area on the side of the tree. The rott goes all the way down to the ground. It's kinda sad in a way. Consequently, the side opposite to this side, has gone nuts, and has sent out about three dozen suckers. Paper birches are hard to kill, while such damage would have killed a conifer long ago.
Originally posted by: BennyD
i think heating the water is a good idea, maybe 90 C?

i think that mosquito's larva don't survive in moving water so you could fit a pump :D
Click to expand...
I actually kinda like this idea, because it would kinda sterilize the hole.. I would have to stand out there with my torch for a long time, though. :p
Originally posted by: rgwalt
If you have a power-washer, just blast the suckers out of the hole. I'm still thinking that vegetable oil is the safest and easiest way of dealing with them without using chemicals or pesticides. Bleach could harm the tree, but would be effective.

Vinegar, lemon juice, or a can of diet coke would be another good option. If you lower the pH of the water enough, you'll kill the little devils.

Ryan
Click to expand...
Yeah, sounds good. I'm amazed that the fertilizer didn't kill them, unless there's much more water in there than is apparent. I put enough fertilizer in there for 2 gallons, I estimate the capacity of the hole at maybe 2 litres.
 
A

Armitage

Banned
Feb 23, 2001
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keroseen is often used to control mosquito larvae IIRC
forms a film on the water and blocks the O2. Probably only need a drop or so. I doubt it woiuld hurt the tree.
 
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