Re: [Killietalk] Feeding Brine Shrimp - BTI and daphnia

[Scott Davis <unclescott at prodigy_net>]

If mosquito larvae are that serious a matter, you
might ask the authorities (anonymously if that is an
issue) if raising daphnia in water treated with a
mosquito dunk, BTI or Bacillus thuringiensis
israelensis would be ok. Daphnia, feed and reproduce a
lot like brine shrimp, but I think your yield per
gallon is better.

That appraisal of the falling food value of b.s.
especially has to do with older, unfed nauplii or
starved b.s. in the stores. Still many other live
foods are probably better food for the killies. (If I
lived next to the Great Salt Lake, I know what I would
try and harvest though.)

Go to Google, then Froogle for Bacillus thuringiensis
israelensis. Six packs are about $13 plus shipping. A
20 pack was about $23 plus shipping. That might well
be worth it if it removed the danger of releasing a
bunch of mossies into your local environment and of
getting in trouble with the powers that be.

A couple of the sites Froggled released the following
statement...
"Biological Mosquito Control. Place in standing water
wherever it accumulates near the household...Flower
Pots, Tree holes, Bird Baths, Rain Barrels, Roof
Gutters, Unused Swimming Pools. Each Dunk kills
mosquito Larvae for 30 days or more. Use 1 mosquito
dunk for up to 100 square feet of water surface.
Active Ingredient: Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies
israelensis......10% Inert Ingredients..........90%.
Rings are 2-1/4 inch in diameter.

Not available to Canada customers"

It evidentally interferes with the effectiveness of
larval digestive tracts.

All the best!
Scott

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