Mosquito Madness

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If you don’t want to hear that maddening high pitched mosquito noise this summer, or suffer their annoying biting, please check that your plot is not a mosquito magnet.   

Mosquitos lay their eggs in standing water so your water butt could be a breeding ground for them.  Of course we all need a water butt - so what can you do if you want to save water but not save the mossies?  We hope one of the following tips will suit you:  

1) Put a lid on it.  Obviously you need to capture the water but if it is coming from a gutter then fit a downpipe into the butt and cover it to stop the mossies getting in.  

2) use the water regularly during the warm season rather than just letting it stand (if it does rain this will mean you are saving more water rather than filling it up once and letting it stand). 

3) keep a cheap bottle of vegetable oil by the butt. Once a week put a few drops into the butt – it will form a fine film and prevent the eggs hatching.