South S.L.V. Mosquito Abatement

PREVENT MOSQUITOES FROM TAKING OVER YOUR POND!

    Whether brand new or very old, ponds have proven to be a serious mosquito problem and proper management is essential to help control mosquitos.

FOUNTAINS AND WATERFALLS

    Fountains are a great tool for fighting mosquito larvae.  Mosquito larvae must breath air, therefore they cling to the surface of standing water using an air tube.  Fountains or waterfalls will create a ripple effect that disrupts the tension of the water's surface.  As the ripple reaches the mosquito larvae, it can no longer remain on the water's surface and will drown.  As long as your fountain reaches every part of your pond, you should have have fewer problems.

    Is it ok to have vegetation in the pond? It depends on whether the vegetation is thick enough to stop the ripples.  Any substance in the water that blocks the ripples creates standing water.  These areas of water that are not moving may still produce mosquitos.  Removing or repositioning plants may help.  Another alternative would be to use fish.

FISH

    A combination of a good fountain feature and fish should prevent your pond from having mosquito larvae! Although most fish such as Goldfish and Coy are "bottom feeders", they will eat a few mosquito larvae at the surface of the water.  Gambusia are the best fish for the job since they are top feeders.  Gambusia are not a native fish to Utah, but have been used for many years to control mosquitos in ornamental or backyard ponds.  Because they are not native to Utah, the fish are not to be put into ponds that lead into a wild water source, such as a lake or river.  For those who cannot use fish, or who would rather not have fish, appropriate larvicides are available for assistance in control.  See our Offered Services for a request for fish or larvicides.

LARVICIDES

    Larvicides can be used to control mosquitos.  At the Mosquito Abatement we use different kinds of larvicides.  Information about these can be found on our Pesticides we use page.  The larvicide most used for ponds is Altosid.  Altosid is a growth regulator which interrupts the mosquito life cycle.  It is extremely safe and one briquette can last up to 150 days.  If you would like to request service for either fish or an Altosid briquette, please fill in a service request on our Offered Services page.

South Salt Lake Valley Mosquito Abatement