Do Ponds Attract Mosquitoes?

Do Ponds Attract Mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes use stagnant bodies of water to lay their larvae which suspend just below the surface and feed on organisms in the pond like algae, bacteria and other microorganisms, and even plant remnants. One of the keys to their success is that the water is not moving. Despite existing below the surface, the larvae still breathe air. They have tiny tubes which are held to the surface when the water is perfectly still. When the water ripples and moves, this tension is broken causing a major disruption and usually preventing the survival of the mosquito larvae.

Standing bodies of water do attract mosquitoes which is one of several reasons to create a source of constant movement in your pond. The water can be flowing from a jet, like a stream or it can be rippling from the splashes of a waterfall or fountain. Any decent movement in the water will make it impossible for the larvae to be suspended long enough for the mosquitoes to grow. 

Keep Your Pond Water Moving

Any healthy pond has good water flow. When we build ponds, especially small to medium ones, we position the pump on the opposite side of the flowing water. So if your waterfall spillway is on the left, we’d put your pump on the bottom, on the right side of the pond. This action is probably one of the bare minimum steps you should take to create flowing water. The entrance of the water creates a push and the pump creates a pull. This allows for a steady flow of water from one end to the other end of your pond. A fountain, a bubbler, an aerator, even a waterfall will all help to create water movement.

You don’t need to have more than one of these if you don’t want to, but remember that in addition to keeping mosquito larvae at bay, you’ll also help invigorate the nitrogen cycle which is a natural way to filter your pond with elements that already exist in the ecosystem. Movement aids in cleared water, less algae and of course, an environment in which mosquitoes cannot reproduce.

Have You Heard of Mosquito Fish?

If not, you may not quite understand the name. The fish are actually called Gambusia holbrooki and are goldfish-sized but are gray in color. Mosquitofish feed on larvae and other organisms they find in their water so they tend to be great at controlling and preventing the spread of mosquito populations. They’re native to Florida and they don’t require any additional food because they feed solely on larvae, other insects and various types of plant materials they scavenge.

Believe it or not, Hillsborough County gives out free mosquito fish to residents as a safe and inexpensive method for battling the insects during the spring and summer months. Each year, locations and times change so check ​​the county’s website  for the most current info. Adding some of these little, friendly fish to your pond can certainly help feed on mosquito larvae that might find their way to a still corner of your Tampa pond. The city will also spray neighborhoods to get rid of mosquitoes upon request if they test and discover an area has a particularly high count during the hot months.

It is recommended that you only deploy these useful fish into your own ponds, unused swimming pools, standing water for animals or other man-made water features. Adding them to a natural ecosystem is discouraged because they can reproduce quickly and cause unintentional harm to the existing species.