Growing Malaria Right In My Own Backyard

This past spring I planted some lettuce in a large container. It never did well. It didn't drain well, I seemed to have a problem with squirrels in it and the lettuce didn't do squat really. The lettuce I direct sowed into the garden did much better.

I've been meaning to dump the whole thing in the compost pile but last week and this weekend were so rainy and it filled up with water and I didn't want to be bothered until things were drier. I've also just been peering out the window at my garden over the last few days rather than walk out to it in the rain.

This morning dawned and it was finally nice and sunny. Upon peering into my lettuce planter I noticed it was just teeming with new life-LOTS OF NEW LIFE. In the form of about 10,000 mosquito larvae swimming around in it. They were small but large enough for me to see they were nibbling around the lettuce.

EEEWWWWWW......................

I dispensed my husband to take care of it as it was completely grossing me out! (Yes, I realize I made him do this on Father's Day!)

Anyway, this is a pretty gross story but it's really a cautionary tale. Anything can be a breeding ground for these things as long as there is some standing water. This planter has only a few inches of water above the soil. (upon emptying the container I noticed I never took the stoppers out of the bottom so of course there was no drainage.) I was always good with the birdbath last year because it was a really obvious place for "standing water" This planter, no so much.

In our old house I had a small garden fountain. It was mostly on, but sometimes off. Our dog would drink out of it when we were not looking. She swallowed water infested with larvae and was sick the likes of which you NEVER want to see or have your pet experience. I thought she was going to die and I imagine she thought so as well. Please don't yell at me over this, I felt bad enough. I'm just sharing to scare you enough that this never happens to you.

I also cannot imagine my yard with 10,000 mosquitoes flying around and what this would mean for my daughter playing outside!

Lesson Learned! (For some reason as I write this I feel so darn itchy all over, I'm probably going to have bug nightmares)