Mini Pond

[Curtainsforus]

I'd like to add some water to our small terraced garden, I'm thinking of a container - I don't want to go as far as installing a pond with a water pump.
I'm allergic to mosquito bites so it's important that I don't create a home for mosquitoes to breed. Has anyone successfully managed to achieve this?

I dug a hole and shoved a stable bucket (one of the big rubber buckets you get for moving feed around) in it. It's about 18 in deep and now I've got plants in there and surrounded it with cobbles and the birds LOVE it. Still waiting for some wildlife to move in, but I've not had any problem with mosquitoes - mind you, I do have bats which probably see off the mozzies!

Do put a pond in your garden, you won't regret it. Watching young birds perch on the edge and bathe is one of my 'morning coffee' pleasures.

Tadpole2 I've done similar with a Belfast sink. Could I ask where you got the minnows from please?

I didn’t know how allergic people could be. I get lumps about the size of a swan’s egg, which blister and suppurate, but I can banish the itching with Afterbite. So I look pretty ugly if I’ve had lots of bites, but it’s manageable.

Just the local pet shop in our small town 🐸

I have no idea how big a swan's egg is - but it doesn't sound good! Nothing has helped with the itch so far, I take anti-histamines to stop the reaction and that helps a lot if I get hold of them very soon after the bite. I'll give Afterbite a go though, thanks.

@Curtainsforus I have a suspicion Afterbite is pure ammonia. It stings for a moment (it may simply work by over-stimulating the nerve ) but stops the itch instantly and is less damaging and more effective than scratching the top off. Also good on cat flea bites. Usually one application works, occasionally a second application next day. Available online if you can’t find it in a pharmacy - it used to be available in Boots but they didn’t have it last time I looked for it.

Swans egg:hens egg is the same ratio as swan:hen. (I may have been exaggerating slightly).

No pond suggestions but I discovered on holiday this year and covered in maddening bites as usual that if you place a teaspoon in a cup of boiling water then press the back of the spoon onto the top of the bite (being careful not to burn yourself obviously) it breaks down the poison in the bite and stops the itching. Sounds crazy but it does work and boy have I lost huge amounts of sleep to this in the past!

There is a little device you can buy which works on the same principle of heat, you put it on the bite and it heats it up so hot that you think it'll burn but it doesn't and the swelling really goes down.