I have a very small landscaping pond that we purchased at Home Depot quite a few years ago. I have around 20 frogs that we have been enjoying. I was taking a closer look into the water today and noticed very small (I mean VERY small) black bugs (?) that looked like tiny worms wiggling through the water. Quite a few were feeding on a dead frog. The pond is loaded with them. They are only as big as around 1/10 centimeter thick and maybe ½ to 1 centimeter long. I also noticed the pond looked like it had a lot of sand scattered in the bottom, but upon closer examination it was tiny bugs that looked like sand, clinging to the sides and scooting around the bottom. My husband said the black bugs cannot be tadpoles, they are much too small. I haven’t done anything with the pond this year since it is right next to our deck and we have been working on the deck. I have no plants in the pond. Can anyone tell me what these may be? I live in Michigan.
2007-08-23 13:43:33 · 6 answers · asked by snowmanluvr 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Mosquito larva. We get them all the time. You might want to look into getting a pump for your pound to keep the water moving.
2007-08-23 14:13:56 · answer #1 · answered by Amanda S 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm not entirely sure what those things could be (I feel for you. creepy crawlies in your pond are NOT fun), but I have a good idea on how to get rid of them.
First- DON'T drain your pond. I know it's tempting, but draining your pond in the summer is horrible for your water. It'll turn green in about three days, and those things will just come back anyway.
I recommend getting some fish, and I have loads of advice on which ones to pick and how to take care of them. (it's a big hobby of mine)
Try not to get the cheapest fish possible. Feeder goldfish, while useful for eating whatever bugs you have, will either die out or multiply like mad. Mosquito fish are even worse with breeding. My favorite fish are koi. While they are a little more expensive, you have a lot more variety to pick not only a Pond Bug Attacker but a pretty pet as well. Koi are also very agressive eaters. They eat most of their eggs, especially if there isn't any plant material in the pond for them to lay the eggs in.
Koi have a bad reputation for being high maintenance. You DON'T have to feed them. Trust me, they have plenty of stuff to eat already. They won't grow into giants and take over your pond; they only grow as big as the space allows (one inch of fish per ten gallons of water).
Whatever route you take in this, I wish you luck!
2007-08-25 18:01:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hate to say it, but because frogs have a tendency to come and go (have a larger pond ourselves), it is very possible (don't scream) that they could be leaches. We have had them! (Ewww!!!)
As the first person said...if they behave like mosquito larva, could be that...but the feeding on a dead frog thing has me suspecting leaches. If it is, there is stuff that can be added to the water to get rid of them.
2007-08-23 13:52:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Mosquitoes; Better spray for them now or you are taking a chance on West Nile Virus.
2007-08-23 15:21:24 · answer #4 · answered by llittle mama 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Skeeter larvae.
2007-08-23 13:51:20 · answer #5 · answered by ed 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
look here....
http://www.google.com/search?q=dragonfly+larvae&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1
and here...
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-us&q=mosquito+larvae
I'm thinking you have dragonfly larvae in there since you said they're eating something....
2007-08-24 01:22:24 · answer #6 · answered by meanolmaw 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋