Grow Your Own Magazine


Go Back   The Grapevine > On the Plot > Wildlife Gardening
Wildlife Gardening Share your experiences and tips on attracting beneficial wildlife

Visit our sponsors for all your gardening and growing needs!

www.garden4less.co.uk www.garden4less.co.uk www.garden4less.co.uk www.garden4less.co.uk www.garden4less.co.uk www.garden4less.co.uk

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 29-05-2008, 07:36 PM
Seahorse's Avatar
Super Moderator
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lincolnshire
Posts: 2,053
Default Dragon fly larvae in water butt - what to do?

One of my water butts has loads of dragon fly larvae in it! I haven't the heart to send them to their doom but it's a pain for the water to be unavailable. My best idea to date is trying to ladle them out into a bucket or our old baby bath but maybe someone has a better plan?
__________________
http://thankyouforthedays.blogspot.com/

In the woods there grew a tree
And a fine fine tree was he
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 29-05-2008, 07:49 PM
smallblueplanet's Avatar
Early Fruiter
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Vale of Pewsey
Posts: 4,616
Default

What do dragonfly larvae eat? Can't you put a sieve across the exit tap?
__________________
Manda.

"Wouldn't it be nice
For maybe an hour
To not have a care."

Last edited by smallblueplanet; 29-05-2008 at 07:50 PM.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 29-05-2008, 08:22 PM
citygirl's Avatar
Sprouter
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Keighley, West Yorks
Posts: 116
Blog Entries: 1
Default

i have some kind of larvae in my water too. they *look* like dragonflies. but i doubt they are.
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 29-05-2008, 08:55 PM
Seahorse's Avatar
Super Moderator
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lincolnshire
Posts: 2,053
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by smallblueplanet View Post
What do dragonfly larvae eat? Can't you put a sieve across the exit tap?
Uhh, I may have been a little 'grand' in my use of the term 'water butt' It's an old style plastic dustbin, so I just scoop water from the top (hence why it was open for rainfall and the dragonflies got in! )

My 10 year old wildlife expert assures me they're df larvae and she certainly knows more than I do!
__________________
http://thankyouforthedays.blogspot.com/

In the woods there grew a tree
And a fine fine tree was he
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 29-05-2008, 09:02 PM
citygirl's Avatar
Sprouter
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Keighley, West Yorks
Posts: 116
Blog Entries: 1
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Seahorse View Post
Uhh, I may have been a little 'grand' in my use of the term 'water butt' It's an old style plastic dustbin, so I just scoop water from the top (hence why it was open for rainfall and the dragonflies got in! )

My 10 year old wildlife expert assures me they're df larvae and she certainly knows more than I do!
haha...snap!
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 29-05-2008, 09:12 PM
sewer rat's Avatar
Early Fruiter
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Tain, Easter Ross
Posts: 2,684
Blog Entries: 49
Default

Just stretch an old pair of tights acros the top of your pail / watering can. That will let you fill the can but keep the larvae out. If any do get tangled, just scrape them back into your water bin.
__________________
Rat

British by birth
Scottish by the Grace of God

Blog updated Wednesday November 13th
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Old 29-05-2008, 09:20 PM
Seahorse's Avatar
Super Moderator
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lincolnshire
Posts: 2,053
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sewer rat View Post
Just stretch an old pair of tights acros the top of your pail / watering can. That will let you fill the can but keep the larvae out. If any do get tangled, just scrape them back into your water bin.
Brilliant! You're a star SR
__________________
http://thankyouforthedays.blogspot.com/

In the woods there grew a tree
And a fine fine tree was he
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On
Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:11 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.2.0