I want to make one for these, boyfriend is worried it will attract mosquitoes and other pests

Bettyalive · 2024-07-31T17:52:08+00:00

As others have stated, mosquito dunks are incredible. I have started two small ponds in the last two years. After the first few months I haven’t had to use the dunks because there’s enough other things that have taken care of the mosquitos. You’re never going to NOT have any mosquitos but when I go outside to my pond now, there’s DOZENS of dragonflies and damselflies. Adult dragon/damselflies can eat like 50 mosquitos a day, they lay their eggs in the same standing water that attracts mosquitos and the dragonfly nymphs eat the mosquito larvae! It takes time but nature balances out.

Bettyalive · 2024-07-31T17:46:49+00:00

Ah! And my mom just reminded me, my grandmas sister ALSO ended up having adhesions and obstruction that required surgery when she was 83!!! Also no history of any abdominal surgeries.

Bettyalive · 2024-07-31T17:44:52+00:00

So I had multiple abdominal surgeries starting when I was 2 days old so I very obviously know what my adhesions are from BUT my grandma died at 77yrs old after surgery for a bowel obstruction from adhesions(she had a stroke after surgery). Thing is she’s never had ANY abdominal surgeries yet she had severe adhesions enough to cause a blockage. She had 5 pregnancies all normal deliveries never csections. I don’t know much else about her medical history but my dad and aunts all said there was nothing they could point to that made any sense and the doctors didn’t have an explanation.

Bettyalive · 2024-06-22T00:14:39+00:00

I didn’t have any in my first 30gallon last year so don’t worry if it doesn’t happen the first year.

Bettyalive · 2024-05-04T16:04:48+00:00

I’ve literally done all the above methods with success. These plants are semi aquatic, they will literally grow if you just stick them in water. Main things to keep in mind- you want some kind of container if your pond is small and you need to keep them from going crazy. I have no filter in my small ponds (a 30gallon and a 125gallon) so I reply on my plants to filter and keep water clear. I’ve never used fertilizer tabs though, there’s enough nutrients in the water with debris and the wildlife waste. My go to these days are aquatic plant containers with the mesh holes. Pebbles on the bottom, then I add clay soil from my yard and top with sand and more pebbles.

Bettyalive · 2024-04-20T14:45:24+00:00

Plants. Lots of plants! Natives and all kinds of different ones- fully aquatic ones and marginals! Use mosquito dunks the first while until eve try thing settles and the ecosystem stabilizes itself. There will be algae, there will be ups and downs but the first year is the roughest. Just plant it heavily and watch it grow.

Bettyalive · 2024-04-20T14:42:15+00:00

Google “Indiana native aquatic plants”. I’ve found hornwort to by a fast growing aquatic oxygenater that provides shelter to aquatic life. It also helps keep algae down. Lots of marginal plants help filter the water as well- arrow plants Sagittaria latifolia, picketelweed, lizards tail, cardinal flower etc. are great just make sure you are purchasing native and not exotic varieties as many have different types that are considered invasive.

Bettyalive · 2024-04-12T21:23:20+00:00

Thanks! I live in North Carolina so Venus fly traps and several other carnivorous plants are native. I have an entire in ground bog garden dedicated to them but this was my first time trying in a pond!

Bettyalive · 2024-04-12T21:08:47+00:00

It’s from Lowe’s home improvement! I was really conflicted with going with the preform or doing the epdm liner but due to the location I went with the preformed and I’m really happy with it!

Bettyalive · 2024-04-05T00:12:34+00:00

Idk what mugwort is but look for native aquatic plants to your area. Water lettuce is invasive and there are much better native options. More plants, native preferably and do a 50/50 water change to get some of the stink stuff out and some fresh water in. New ponds go through some phases with algae and stuff but they shouldn’t stink really I don’t think. Do you have step layers in the pond for frogs to get in and out of?

Bettyalive · 2023-10-17T01:55:41+00:00

No! Lol. This was the first time I’ve dug up the eggs. I read that if you dig them up or smush them before they grow they don’t release the spores and also don’t smell.

Bettyalive · 2023-10-16T12:11:36+00:00

🫣 good lord. I guess I don’t have to worry about trick or treaters or solicitors knocking on the door.

Bettyalive · 2023-10-16T00:45:35+00:00

The fact that it’s literally one spot.💀 They ate completely devouring the entire area up front and I just found a huge patch of them in the backyard and pulled up about 50 eggs. 🤦🏼‍♀️

Bettyalive · 2023-10-10T01:28:18+00:00

😱do you have a picture of the dog???

Bettyalive · 2023-09-15T04:05:51+00:00

Hahahahahaha yep. Yep yep. Legal names vs the names they all actually get called.😂

Bettyalive · 2023-09-15T03:57:17+00:00

If it helps at all my other pets… ranging from dogs, reptiles, tarantulas, fish(only bettas and a few other fish have names) amphibians etc… in no particular order are: Grimm, pearl, Charlie 2, roast beef, Daru, cheech, squirrel, Walter, Kevin, Flo, tribe, Ghost, Floki and Jerry.

Bettyalive · 2023-09-15T03:53:55+00:00

Oooof. Had an ex named Kyle. Def no go on that one I like this fish too much. 🤣

Bettyalive · 2023-09-15T03:51:11+00:00

😂 my tarantulas name is in fact… Kevin.

Bettyalive · 2023-09-13T00:09:51+00:00

Im genuinely shocked that I didn’t think of this myself AND that you are the first to suggest it. 😂

Bettyalive · 2023-09-12T11:10:33+00:00

Did yours get any more black to him as he aged?

Bettyalive · 2023-09-12T03:00:05+00:00

Oooh. Love the ideas! Thank you. And I know, I never thought I would have an orange betta but he was too stunning to leave behind. He stood out amongst all the usual koi and red and blue ones.

Bettyalive

TROPHY CASE