Mystery Insects

[mikkel]

Earlier today when looking at the water in one of the birdbaths we have, I noticed what must have been thousands of microscopic worm-like things wriggling. I would have taken a picture with my digital, but it would have been of no use. Neither my Partner, or I have ever seen them, or anything like them before.

[kedigato]

Mikkel, what you saw are very likely mosquito larvae, commonly known as "wigglers".

www.wuvcd.org/mosquito/larvae.html

Have a look at these pictures, please, I'm sure they are the same as yours.

[mikkel]

THAT'S THEM! Kedigato, you are Brilliant and Thank You. My Partner got rid of them while I was cutting the grass today, but not before I pointed out a rather large red one. The rest of them WERE identical to those that you linked, thank you.

[mikkel]

These things have reappeared, but not so many this time.

[kedigato]

If they're in the bird bath again, just tip the water out and wipe the bowl before refilling it. Do it every time before the wigglers turn into mosquitos.

Do you have more than one bird bath, puddles or wet spots in the garden? Better check them if you do.

I can't remember if you have a pond or not, or were just thinking about having one?

[Deleted]

mikkel,

We get them all the time as well and just yesterday bought two mosquito eaters fish (sorry I can not remember the actual name of the fish) for the pond.

We have to be particularly diligent about mosquito larvae where I live .... since the West Nile Virus, carried by mosquitoes has been found in my neighborhood over the past few years. We've had several "foggings" to kill the larvae.....matter of fact the last fogging was just this last Wed. the 23rd. They do it in the wee hours sometime after midnight.

They do keep reappearing ... it's true.

We get little red wormy type things in our pond as well, but they are not mosquito larvae but blood worms. When I looked up red worms this is what i found:

The little red worms that you find in the filter material of your bio-filter are perfectly natural and a sign that your system is CLEAN.

Do not get rid of them. Enjoy them and allow your fish to eat them.
...FREEZE DRY THEM!

Don’t be alarmed if you find little red worms in your filter material. They are nothing but harmless blood worms, the larvae of the midge fly. They are a very natural occurrence in the pond and, although they aren’t very attractive, are okay to feed your fish. After all, once freeze-dried, this blood worm becomes what marketers call "Tubifex Worms". They’re packaged and sold in pet supply stores as a fish delicacy.

... they do look kinda of creepy however ...

[DAG]

Thanks Jeanne, that's very useful to know!