If growing outside, mosquitoes can find hydroponic systems attractive due to the presence of standing water, which provides an ideal breeding ground for their larvae.
There so dozens of insect pests that are frequent invaders of grow rooms and hydroponic plants. An infestation can quickly undo all of your hard work in your garden. Here's what you can do to protect your plants and control the pests to keep your garden healthy and thriving.
Water features in the landscape will invariably attract adult mosquitoes, but attempting to control them or prevent their egg laying is difficult. Larvae are easier to manage, since they are concentrated in known areas, don't yet bite, and can't fly away.
Known for its distinct smell, citronella grass (or lemon grass) is the most commonly used natural ingredient in mosquito repellants. In fact, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden recommends lemon-scented plants such as citronella grass to keep mosquitoes at bay.
Mosquitoes are turned off by several natural scents, including citronella, peppermint, cedar, catnip, patchouli, lemongrass, lavender and more. You can add some of these plants to your landscaping to fend them off.
Add a bacterial larvicide (liquid, dunk, or granule) to the water in the barrel monthly according to the label. Larvicides kill mosquitoes but are safe for people, plants, and animals.
Moving water: A waterfall, a fountain, or an air bubbler keeps the surface water constantly moving, which will keep female mosquitoes from laying their eggs.
Observations made in numerous parts of the world have shown that several species of mosquitos, which are of health concern to humans and animals, are found to breed extensively in water lettuce, (Pistia stratiotes).
Large plants, such as fruit trees (e.g., apple, pear, and citrus trees) and large shrubs (e.g., blueberries and raspberries), are generally unsuitable for hydroponic systems due to their size and long growth cycles.
The vitamin content of your favorite vegetables is standard, no matter the growing method used, but the mineral content is where you may see some differences. Veggies grown in a well-designed and scientifically formulated hydroponic system will have essentially the same mineral content as soil-grown plants.
To head off problems with microbes, which often can be the cause of unpleasant odors in your hydroponics systems, try to maintain microbial balance. This can be achieved by introducing beneficial microbes to your nutrient solution.
However, cons may involve higher initial setup costs, the need for technical expertise, and a reliance on artificial lighting and climate control. Also, many argue that hydroponically grown produce may lack certain flavors or nutrients compared to soil-grown crops.
There are many benefits to indoor hydroponic gardens. Growing your produce is not only healthier, it's cost-effective, efficient, and convenient.
Fish, such as goldfish, bass and bluegill, eat mosquito larvae, but the most-touted mosquito larvae eater is the Eastern mosquito fish. This native fresh- water fish can be purchased. (Western mosquito fish are not native to Maryland.) Frogs, tadpoles, spiders and some turtles also feed on mosquitoes.
Mosquito dunks are a formulation of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti). You can also find Bti in the form of mosquito bits. Mosquito dunks and mosquito bits are used to control mosquito populations. They are not toxic to people, pets, and even other insects such as bees.
Many birds will eat mosquitoes. The more important among these are purple martins, swallows, waterfowl (geese, terns, ducks) and migratory songbirds. Bird predators usually eat both the adult and aquatic stages of mosquitoes.
Soap: Pouring a bit of dish soap or shampoo into an inhabited water source will kill any larvae after a day. Oil: Olive oil and vegetable oil will get rid of mosquito eggs and larvae almost immediately.
ADD MOSQUITO REPELLENT PLANTS
These plants – including alliums, mums, marigolds, mint, basil and floss – can be placed around your patio, porch or gazebo. The aromas from these plants cause trouble for mosquitoes – some confuse them and others simply repulse them – which is enough to keep them away from you.
Birds, frogs, tadpoles, fish, toads, salamanders, spiders, red-eared slider turtles and many types of insects all play vital roles in keeping the mosquito population at bay. Some creatures, like the small brown bat, can catch up to 600 mosquitoes in just one hour.
Bug Zappers – A bug zapper is powered by electricity and uses heat and carbon dioxide to attract mosquitoes. When the mosquito or another flying pest comes close to the device, it is electrocuted, killing it instantly.