45 replies to this topic

[Shortpoet-GTD]

jasserEnv, on 05 December 2011 - 06:06 PM, said:

I had not heard of this means of preventing mosquitoes from reproducing. How long do these thing last and are they safe for plants such as melons that can absorb bacteria directly?

"BTI stands for Bacillius Thuringiensis Israelensis, the active ingredient in Mosquito Dunks .
Bacillus thuringiensis Israelensis (Bti) is a soil dwelling bacteria that is used as a biological alternative to pesticides / insecticides.
Protein spores produced by the bacterium are toxic to the digestive system of mosquitoe larvae, but has no ill effects on the environment, wildlife, or humans. It is commonly used due to its low toxicity to non-target species. It is the favored choice by the Department of Health for mosquito control in communities.

It effectively kills mosquito larvae present in water. As the larvae feeds on organic material, they consume the BTI spores which deliver the toxins to the digestive system, starving the mosquito larvae, and kills it before it's even old enough to bite
BTI is a larvicide and very effective for biological control of mosquitoes.
BTI products are mostly found in granular or briquette forms. Basically small blocks or donuts called dunks, that gradually release levels of BTI into standing water areas known to be breeding areas for mosquitoes. Since BTI is natural and breaks down, it may remain effective from 24 hours to over one month."
(Forgive the ad link above-many sites sell Dunks-Google if product is needed)

[jasserEnv]

Thanks for that. It will be something to use in my rain barrels next year. We had awful numbers of mosquitoes this year so if I can reduce the number that my back yard is breeding, all the better.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

jasserEnv, on 06 December 2011 - 10:36 AM, said:

Thanks for that. It will be something to use in my rain barrels next year. We had awful numbers of mosquitoes this year so if I can reduce the number that my back yard is breeding, all the better.

I wish we had some rain for that *&^%^$ barrel.

[anEgrahm]

Our household uses rain water for our plants and some cleaning, but not for our car. When you're driving around in your car, you can see the stains that the rain water has made in the areas of the front screen window where the windscreen wipers do not cover, and I don't think in our area rainwater is the purest. However, as I stated before, we use it mostly for outdoor purposes, and cleaning our deck and pagola.

[msterees]

kat74, on 21 November 2011 - 10:39 PM, said:

Where I come from we have been harvesting rain water for ages. To some its the only source of water so they collect enough to last them until the next season. I myself like the taste of rain water so I make sure that I have collected some for my drinking purpose since where I live there is no much pollution. I think God provides us with all the resources we need like rain for water, sun for energy , wind for energy too. If we can use the free God given things, our world would be more healthier and friendly.

When I was a kid my grandparents used to catch rain water and we would drink it right from the barrel with a metal dipper. I often wonder if it is safe to do that nowadays. One one hand the rain water could have acid in it from the air pollution, but on the other hand it doesn't have chlorine and fluoride added to it by the water treatment facilities. I probably wouldn't be too concerned about using rain water to cook with because some of the contaminents would be removed when you boiled the water.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Watch the video on this link.
This lady not only re-purposed items that would have gone into the landfill, but she made a rain tree,
and during the off season, has a clothes line.
http://www.treehugge...ontent=My Yahoo