# Help me commit mosquito Holocaust **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 1, 2012, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-commit-mosquito-holocaust/630095 "2012-08-01T19:29:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Incubus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-commit-mosquito-holocaust/630095/1 "2012-08-01T19:29:47Z")
We have a pond with a fountain in our front yard. Recent sunny and warm days have caused it to develop algae and mosquito larvae. Whats the best way of dealing with this problem? ---
**Author:** ![Yarster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/7c8e57/32.png) [@Yarster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yarster)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-commit-mosquito-holocaust/630095/2 "2012-08-01T19:41:38Z")
Assuming nothing of value lives in the water (i.e. plants), I’d put some chlorine in that you’ll find at any pool supply house. If something does live in the water, perhaps try adding some fish that like the taste of mosquitos. I’m sure your local Petco will help you out in that regard. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-commit-mosquito-holocaust/630095/3 "2012-08-01T20:08:24Z")
> **[Amazon.com : Altosid Pro-G Mosquito Larvicide : Home Pest Repellents : Patio,...](https://www.amazon.com/WellMark-Altosid-Pro-G-Mosquito-Larvicide/dp/B004HDD4NG)** > > While mosquitoes may appear to be relatively innocent little creatures that occasionally bite and leave irritating itchy bumps on our arms and legs, they have recently become a more serious health concern to people and pets. With just one bite,... ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-commit-mosquito-holocaust/630095/4 "2012-08-01T20:28:33Z")
[Gambusia affinnis](http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Gambusia_affinis.htm) are mosquito larvae eating machines. In California they used to be dumped into every pool of water around. [Utricularia gibba](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utricularia_gibba) is a floating carnivorous plant that I kept in rain barrels to eat larvae. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-commit-mosquito-holocaust/630095/5 "2012-08-01T20:30:19Z")
Intentional introductions have largely been for purposes of mosquito control, although G. affinis is not considered to be any more effective against mosquitoes than most native mosquito-eating species (ISSG 2006). - from the linked article also; Baber and Babbitt (2004) indicate Gambusia () are capable of effectively consuming tadpoles of two Florida amphibians, significantly impacting prey density. In addition, G. affinis is capable of foraging effectively in densely vegetated areas that would likely provide cover from larger predatory fish. Mosquitofish, particularly where it occurs as a non-native, also prey heavily on the eggs and young of co-occurring fish species. So don’t put in there if you have frogs or other fish ---
**Author:** ![Enkel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Enkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enkel)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-commit-mosquito-holocaust/630095/6 "2012-08-01T20:32:34Z")
Would Talapia eat them? Then you could have a fish fry at the end of the season. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-commit-mosquito-holocaust/630095/7 "2012-08-01T20:44:58Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Intentional introductions have largely been for purposes of mosquito control, although G. affinis is not considered to be any more effective against mosquitoes than most native mosquito-eating species (ISSG 2006). Everyone’s a critic! 🙂 I think that is based on how many larvae a fish can eat, rather than the adaptability, hardiness, breeding ability and low animal cunning of G. affinis. They are livebearers, so they can run away almost from the start rather than serve as food while eggs. They are vicious little bastards and out compete other fishes anywhere near them in the niche. They were used to eradicate mosquitoes during the building of the Panama Canal. People hate them because they are so successful, just as they resent me for the same reason. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-commit-mosquito-holocaust/630095/8 "2012-08-01T23:24:49Z")
Is draining the pond an option? ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-commit-mosquito-holocaust/630095/9 "2012-08-01T23:39:47Z")
Guppies if you’re in the tropics. Zero larvae for sure. I’m not sure but in nature, the biggest eaters of mosquitos are your ribbits. Keep a handful of them in your pond. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-commit-mosquito-holocaust/630095/10 "2012-08-02T00:16:52Z")
[Mosquito dunks.](http://www.epinions.com/review/Summit_Mosquito_Dunks_6_pack_card/content_465339453060?sb=1) ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-commit-mosquito-holocaust/630095/11 "2012-08-02T01:13:05Z")
Bats? A larger pump? A better filter? I would definitely try mechanical and biological options before chemical. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-commit-mosquito-holocaust/630095/12 "2012-08-02T01:21:07Z")
Goldfish would be a big help. You can buy cheap “feeders” at the pet store, intended to be fed to large aquarium fish.