(posting again )A question about rain barrel water stagnation and misquitos...

[Javaman]

Okay, given that algae will form in stagnant water and that those little buggers mosquitoes also form in still water, if the water is constantly moving, would that prevent or at least delay the formation of algae and prevent the breeding of mosquitoes?

I really appreciate the answers to the first time I posted this, however, I am aware of the various means to get rid of mosquito larva.

As I have stated above, does moving water prevent mosquito's from 1) laying eggs and 2) prevent algae from growing?

Thanks again.

[BrklynLiberal]

1. A few resources.

Natural Rain Barrel Mosquito Control
http://hippychicksgarden.blogspot.com/2008/05/natural-rain-barrel-mosquito-control.html

Keeping Mosquitoes out of your rainbarrel
http://desertification.wordpress.com/2008/06/14/keeping-mosquitoes-out-of-your-rain-barrels-gardening-tips-n-ideas/

http://www.epa.gov/nps/natlstormwater03/32Sands.pdf

[fascisthunter]

5. ah... thank you

[sharp_stick]

2. If the top of the water is moving so the mosquitos

cant safely get down on it they won't lay their eggs IIRC.

It may not work where you live but I put my rainwater to use in the vegetable and flower garden pretty quickly and keep the barrels clean.

[flvegan]

3. Moving water does prevent the mosquito breeding.

Algae will form if the movement is slow, but not if it's somewhat rapid. I think.

[nebenaube]

4. no....

just moving the water won't but oxygenating the water will do wonders. However that requires energy. We just have a silk screen over ours and a few goldfish to eat any larva.

[madokie]

10. I like the goldfish idea

[CottonBear]

6. Moving water does prevent most algae and mosquitoes. I have a garden fountain w/ fish and no larvae

except when the pump is shut off or clogged up and isn't running properly. I do add fresh (well) water to the fountain/fish pond on a regular basis.

Perhaps you could put some feeder goldfish fish in your rain barrel. If you leave enough water in there they should be fine. Mine have lived a a very small patio fountain/fish pond for over 7 years now! They have a small recirculating pump from Lowes (under $20) that powers the bubbler.

The fire stations in my town distribute free larvacidal briquets for rain barrels and other areas with standing water that can't be drained.

Here is a helpful link:
Citizen Education Key to Mosquito Control in Athens-Clarke County
http://www.www.athensclarkecounty.com/mosquito/index.htm

Good luck!

edit: sp.

[mike_c]

7. yes and no....

First, moving water doesn't really prevent algae from growing-- algae will grow in any water that sunlight penetrates and which has even minimal mineral nutrients available (dust in the air will provide sufficient nutrients even if you start with very pure water). Bacteria and protists will also grow abundantly.

In FLOWING water (as opposed to simply MOVING water) the flow transports planktonic organisms downstream so we don't see them accumulating in place, but stirring something like a rain barrel just keeps the soup in motion-- it doesn't have anywhere to go.

Mosquitoes are a slightly different story. Larvae are filter feeders and relatively weak swimmers, so most species have a pronounced preference for relatively still water. Strong turbulence disrupts feeding currents generated by the mouth parts, and prevents larva from maintaining feeding position. Since the larvae don't have gills, strong down-welling can drown them-- they must maintain respiratory contact with the surface (some get around this restriction by tapping air filled tissues in submerged plants).

That said, many mosquito species will oviposit in slow moving water that isn't visibly turbulent, and simple slow movement around and around in a rain barrel won't necessarily inhibit larval development. Covering is probably more effective unless you submerge an outboard motor or something that stirs the water similarly-- light tight covers prevent mosquito access AND prevent algal growth.

[OKIsItJustMe]

8. How fast is the water moving?

I don't think this is a viable solution.

Here's a handy EPA sheet:
http://www.epa.gov/nps/natlstormwater03/32Sands.pdf

And here's a handy BBC discussion of the mosquito problem:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/5169092.stm

[Fledermaus]

9. Most rain barrels have a screen to filter out debris

and mosquitoes. There are slow dissolving pellets that will kill them. I have talked to people who have installed a solar pump and filter on large rain water collection systems. Any pump and filter that is large enough to suck up the larva will work. For individual rain barrels, its probely cheaper to use a screen or pellets.

I was going to install a large rainwater collection system this year, but I spent the money on a new high efficiency AC.