Unwelcome aquarium visitors

pete

pete

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Pete
Lately, it seems my apartment is being visited by a lot of mosquitos. It's kind of odd because I've never had a mosquito problem before and there isn't any standing water sources near my home other than my aquariums. I don't see any mosquito larvae in my tanks, but they seem to keep coming to visit. Perhaps it's the water or they're just here to feed on me. At least I find both males and females and they're usually near my aquariums around 6-7 pm. Whatever the cause... the morning bites, and buzzing in my ears during the night are annoying. Just figured I'd post some pictures of the nuisances (female left, male right). I'm hoping they'll go away soon. :(
 

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Hmmm... interesting perspective
 
Last spring I had some mosquito larvae in a C. pyrroghaster tank. Of course there were a few mosquitos buzzing around the house as well. The "infestation" did not seem to last too long however.
Chip
 
[FONT=&quot]You know what I heard, is if you get a few buckets of water, and leave them outside (near your home) that it'll give them something to breed in. Then one a week/month (whichever you want, Im not exactly sure) you can take a teaspoon of Bleach and put in the bucket(s) and kill all the larvae :violent:. I tried it and it worked for me, since I seem to attract every dang Mosquito within 5 miles! Good luck!
[/FONT]
 
shantsdude said:
[FONT=&quot]You know what I heard, is if you get a few buckets of water, and leave them outside (near your home) that it'll give them something to breed in. Then one a week/month (whichever you want, Im not exactly sure) you can take a teaspoon of Bleach and put in the bucket(s) and kill all the larvae :violent:. I tried it and it worked for me, since I seem to attract every dang Mosquito within 5 miles! Good luck!
[/FONT]
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Why would you do that, you'd have very little effect on the population, the only somewhat tangible thing you'd gain out of it would be the personal satisfaction of killing all those larva that you created in the first place.
 
The mosquitoes that would otherwise be attracted to your tanks would breed in the buckets outside, instead of in your house (where they annoy humans). Then you don't have to deal with the buzzing around the ears at midnight, and you won't inadvertently raise mosquitoes to perpetuate the cycle.
 
ben_tajer said:
Why would you do that, you'd have very little effect on the population, the only somewhat tangible thing you'd gain out of it would be the personal satisfaction of killing all those larva that you created in the first place.
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umm first off, that's just what i heard.
 
Why would it "keep" them from going in your tanks? It only provides them with an alternative breeding place. Thats like saying wearing cash loose in your belt will prevent a pick pocket from also robbing your pocket.
 
A bucket of water outside. Interesting idea. If they don't go away soon, I may have to try it. Or perhaps I'll get a citronella candle for my apartment. Until then I'll be sleeping well under the covers.
 
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Wouldnt a piece of muslin or fine netting on your aquariums betwen tank and lid stop them getting in or outwithout stopping air circulating to the surface?
 
Maybe they are breeding in drain traps? Do you have any sinks or tubs you don't use very often?
 
pete said:
A bucket of water outside. Interesting idea. If they don't go away soon, I may have to try it. Or perhaps I'll get a citronella candle for my apartment. Until then I'll be sleeping well under the covers.
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I'm not sure about the mosquito problem. I would guess they are either looking for a place to breed or the mosquitoes you see are the survivors of the newtpacolypse. If you follow the bucket advice be sure to promptly kill the larvae. We don't need any more new disease vectors flying around.

I would be very wary of using a citronella candle inside. Make sure you read the warnings on the package thoroughly as they are probably not intended for indoor use. I would never burn any candle or use any air freshener in an animal room. These products create tiny particulates that will eventually settle and may adversely affect your animals. I would imagine this would be much worse with citronella candles.

Lasher said:
Wouldnt a piece of muslin or fine netting on your aquariums betwen tank and lid stop them getting in or outwithout stopping air circulating to the surface?
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This is a good suggestion also.
 
I used to use citronella oil on a burner ..great for evicting insects. However I am sure I have seen a warning advising not to use it near animals. Needless to say when the beasties invade the oil wins and to be honest the cats have never shown any sign of irritation.
 
bellabelloo said:
I used to use citronella oil on a burner ..great for evicting insects. However I am sure I have seen a warning advising not to use it near animals. Needless to say when the beasties invade the oil wins and to be honest the cats have never shown any sign of irritation.
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True, but cats don't have semi-permeable skin like amphibians or live in large volumes of water that concentrate citronella or other particulates. Candles are also a huge danger to birds of all stripes due to their delicate lungs. Using citronella candles or anything of that stripe isn't a death sentence but I would be wary of treating them too lightly.
 
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