[George]

We've had such a horrible amount of rain lately, it would have filled a rain butt easily. But I worry about bugs in the summers-biting ones especially.

How can I save water for the summer garden and not have a huge increase in bugs?

[webhouse]

Yes, when it comes to collecting rain water, bugs are a big problem which is often discouraging. In that case, I think a closed rain water tank is a good option. Using a closed tank for collecting rain water, there is no way for bugs to get in.

[cero]

I would think unless you could fully close it off (and still collect) then it would not be fully closed off, right?

What about transfering from one tank setup to another?

[tipsandtricks]

A closed tank is definitely the best solution to avoid bugs. If no algae can grow on the water then the bugs will eventually move out, let alone move in!

[bryon]

Couldn't you put a little bit of bleach in it also to keep the algae from growing? I'm thinking that that's what attracts the insects anyway.

[Rampart]

That's a no go where we are because of West Nile Virus. Any standing water is severely frowned upon. In fact, it's worrysome enough here now that they are going to be spraying in a couple of days.

[Justin]

This reminds me of the experiment we had in high school. I'm not recommending it but it would be of practical if we are using the water only for watering plants.

Our experiment is suffocating the larvae by mixing cooking oil on the container. The oil will block the larvae from getting oxygen so they will die eventually. I don't know how efficient this will work on a large scale application.

[craftymama]

The rain barrels that I have seen have covers so the bugs don't get into them. I would like to get one but they are so expensive I really can't afford them right now.