I have had a pond for 12 years and never encountered this problem.
I came home from work and as usual the first thing I do is visit my pond and I was shocked to find I have been invaded. There were hundreds of Mosquitoes looking flys which after researching last night and this morning identified as Chironomidae (Non Biting Midges).
I have never had an infestation before although we have been experiencing an unusual amount of rain this spring on long Island.
In the past I have found the larvae; known as blood worms in my pond but my fish have usually eliminated the problem.
My questions are:
Why have they all of a sudden become a problem? I make sure I don’t have any standing water anywhere on my property to avoid Mosquitoes and any possibility of West Nile disease. I don’t even have any bird baths anymore and the pond is treated with a fish safe larvicide.
Can they be coming from another property and looking for a new home? I have a lake a few miles north and a duck pond about 2 miles east from my home.
What should I do? Just the thought of using chemicals makes me cringe.
Finally, should I take up trout fishing since trout love blood worms? Thank you for your help
Knight7453