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Glenna Rose · 06-07-2007, 02:38 AM posted to rec.gardens.edible

writes:
On 7/5/07 9:06 AM, in article
.com, "Sailor"
wrote:

I'm in SW Florida, and just rototilled my vegi garden, and covered it
with clear plastic to sterilize the soil.
I have to deal with the water that is left on the plastic after
rains. I don't like mosquitoes!.
should I cut holes in the many places that the water sits?
Can I spray something on it a few days after it rains? It rains every
few days for 5 - 30 minutes this time of year.
Any ideas?
Thanks

I use Mosquito Dunks in my hydroponics reservoirs. It uses a bacterium
bacillus thuringiensis to kill the wrigglers. This bacterium is available
in
a form that can be sprayed.

Bill
--

If you cut holes in the plastic, you will negate the sterilization as it
will let the heat escape and not cook the young growing plants/weeds which
is what sterilizes the soil. You need that contained heat and moisture.

Break mosquito dunks into little bits (even crush them into a coarse
powder if necessary, though I'd leave bigger pieces so they don't blow
away) and sprinkle the pieces where the water puddles. You could even
"make puddles" for the water to have fewer spots. The mosquito dunk
pieces will re-activate with the next rain and kill any larvae. That's
one of the great things about the bacterium, it stays there just like the
mosquito eggs and is "available" in the next rain as the eggs hatch. A
wonderful product!

Glenna

Glenna