Does my neighbor count as a pest?

[LarryPQ]

ok- so I am a new-new-newbie.

We don't even have chickens yet: it is too hot in Phoenix to make my hubby go out and finish the coop, let alone put poor chickies out there-115 yesterday. BUUUT- I have been doing my research ahead of time, which is how I found you all.

OK- so my problem: Mosquitoes. We live on horse property in the city, so most of my neighbors have livestock in one form or another. Horse property means large yards for the middle of Phoenix, but nothing impressive: 1/2 acre to 1 acre. So we are rather squished together. Behind us lives an older woman who's daughters live on either side. Together they form the Triumvariate or what I like to call "the Axis of Evil". (there is more to that story, but some other time)

The one daughter has a lovely flock with a few ducks and geese. She has at least one roo, but he is not terrribly loud, and he only crows in the morning. She keeps these in a fairly large run with a little kiddie-pool size pond. The issue is the mosquitoes. The pond is near the fence in the alley and when I take out the trash they swarm me like white on rice. Durning the monsoons the mosquitoes make their way over to my house and torture us.

Why is it so bad? Shouldn't the ducks get some of the larvae? The pool is not large, so it would dry out after a day or so if she forgot to fill it. She doesn't seem to have a auto-filler valve. She gardens too, but am not so snoopy to see if she is leaving standing water elsewhere.

West Nile is a big issue here, and the season is starting soon. I don't know if I can spend another summer with my pants tucked into my socks and long sleeves on! (last year I was preggers and that was awful)

What do I do? The AOE are not approachable, and I don't want to get her in trouble, especially if it means more viscous weirdness from the neighbors. I also don't want to ruin my own chances for having chickens.


Ideas?

 

[ranchhand]

I'd probably call the county and say i have a huge mosquito problem, then let them figure out where the devils are coming from.

 

[adoptedbyachicken]

There is a bacteria that is predatory to mosquito larva and it's to be used in all ponds in this area. It is totally safe to all livestock and poultry, in fact it can be beneficial as it competes with the unhealthy ones that can make water unhealthy for the livestock.

Look into getting some and try your best friendly helpful neighbour approach asking them if they know about it. If they don’t they may be thankful.

If they are not interested at all and the pond is that close to your fence I’d consider sending some airborne into the pond in the deep of night.

Here is a bit of info on it.

 

[sundance]

call the county and complain about mosquitoes,let them find the problem and that way your neighbor never know where or who complained. marrie

 

[ScrambledAcresFarm]

There are mosquito tablets that you can put in the water that dont kill fish or animals. They're cheap. I would get one and toss it in her pool!

 

[Frogdogtimestwo]

What about bat houses up around your house, if you could attract them they will take care of a lot of them. Also we had the same problem with our neighbors pond so we ran an extension cord to the end of the property where they are and plugged in a bug zapper. They got the hint.
We have used the dunks mentioned and they work well in our own pond.

 

[Over Easy in Adna]

Quote:
Change one word in this advice and see if it still a good idea.

call the county and complain about "chickens", let them find the problem and that way your neighbor never know where or who complained.

You need to find a way to negotiate a peacefull comprimise with the AOE or it will continue into a never ending battle.

Good luck.

 

[Big Chicken Little]

Quote:
I agree ...purchase some of these and toss them in the pond ...your problem is solved and no gov agent snooping around ... they could find other violations and enforce restrictions. I think this is a "cheap" way out!!

 

[ScrambledAcresFarm]

Thank you! Dunks! That's the name of them!

 

[purpletree23]

Welcome to BYC! Wonderful people who are genuinely interested in the good as well as the bad. You'll also get suggestions that range from the hilarious to the useful. The hilarious suggestions are meant to be funny. I'm not putting anyone down.

Mosquitos are bad everywhere this year. In addition to what everyone else said if you have the $$ you could invest in a Mosquito Magnet. It works for us.

Take care and stay away from the Axis of Evil.......love that one!