Best Use of Lime for Ponds, Birdbaths and more
David North | Jul 2, 2017
Keeping your bird baths, ponds, or any standing water clean is paramount to your health. Learn how to protect your family.
The health risks of standing water are staggering. According to the World Health Organization pools of standing water are a breeding ground for insects such as mosquitoes or dragonflies. When the larvae or these insects are left undisturbed, these insects are left to grow into disease-transmitting adults.
The Problem, The Solution
This post provides the easy and effective steps to protect your family's health by keeping water safe using First Saturday Lime. This not only benefits nature by keeping the balance of bacteria in the water, it also protects birds, wildlife, and your family from:
- Zika virus, although it has faded from news headlines, the threat is very real and growing. As of June 2017, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found mosquitoes that transmit the disease in 38 new U.S. counties, and an increase of 21 percent compared with an earlier 2016 survey.
- Malaria, a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
- Dengue and Severe dengue, a virus that causes flu-like illness, and occasionally develops into a potentially lethal complication called severe dengue.
- Leptospirosis, an infectious disease caused by bacteria transmitted through mud or water contaminated by the urine of infected animals.
Check out the video below for a step-by-step tutorial.
How to Apply Lime to Standing Water - Pools, Bird Baths and more
A Word About Pond Water
Pond water pH should range between about 7.0 and 9.0 for ponds with common pond fish and plants. If pH is not in the optimal range, fish and plants will become weak and vulnerable to disease. However, you don’t need to use chemicals to control your pond’s pH. It can be done with more natural methods, like First Saturday Lime’s formula that do not cause the pH levels to swing too quickly and without intense side effects. Check out our post about testing your ponds pH levels by clicking here.
Easy Upkeep
In the warmer months, weekly water changes of 10 to 20 percent, where you remove 10 to 20 percent of the dirty water and replace with clean water treated with First Saturday Lime, will prevent pH problems in a pond. For colder months, monthly water changes tend to do the trick. Check standing water around your home at least once a week to ensure your family is protected and healthy. The birdies will thank you with more visits and song!