Habitat - Outdoor :: Can water bugs harm my RES?

[melissa4324]

I may just be a nervous mother but we have three large garden ponds stocked with fish, plants and of course RES. We noticed today we have giant water bugs that seem to be attaching themsleves to the fish and killing them. I am really worried for the turts. Will they eat the bugs or will the bugs eat them? And does anybody know of how I can kill the water bugs to save the fish?

PS - Great Site!

[steve]

If they are killing the fish, I would be worried. Do you know what kind of bugs they are and have you had them before?

I would try to remove as many as possible and if you can, screen the ponds...

[melissa4324]

The pond thing is all very new to us. We built them this year. From what I can gather from the internet they are called "giant water bugs". I have been to all the local pond stores and searched online and can't seem to find anyone who sells stuff to kill them. My local fish store said they fish will eat them when they are big enough but right now they are your average size fish. We have been pulling out all of the ones we see. We are going to work on screening it in but have to be careful because of hurricanes. Just really worried about the turts. Two are large so I don't worry about them but the two babies are the ones I am really worried about.

[steve]

i would just avoid using any chemicals or pesticides. they may be feeding on plant matter in the tank and larvae may also be present. i would be concerned since they might have established themselves in your ponds and will be even harder to remove.

[STRAYKINGFISHER]

This little guy???
Copied from: http://www.fishpondinfo.com/insect3.htm
Scroll down till you see the little guy

[marisa]

Are they big black bugs with long legs that skim over the surface of the water? If you screen the top of the ponds and the holes of the screen are really small (less than 3/8 of an inch) it will screen out some of the UVB rays. Maybe some kind of netting would work?

How big are your turts? If they're any appreciable size at all, I have the feeling that in a battle with the bugs the turts would win. Regarding the fish, though...the bugs actually attach themselves to the fish and remain on them underwater?

[STRAYKINGFISHER]

This site should help with identifying the bug in question:

http://ltreadwell.ifas.ufl.edu/insects/06Hemiptera.htm

[melissa4324]

Yes, those are the bugs. I have two little baby turtles. They are the ones I am concerned about. They are so tiny and I worry about them. They seem to be chasing the bugs away from the fish though. I just can't figure out how for the life oh me to get rid of them.

[marisa]

This is interesting. I just read over at http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Articles/menu.htm that water bugs (I'm assuming that's what these are do bite and only the small ones should be used as turtle food. Click on the link and go to D. Live Foods, then to #14---they're not recommended. (I know your original question wasn't about feeding them, but they don't sound like something you'd want in your pond if at all possible).

[melissa4324]

No, I don't want them in my pond at all. I was hoping that maybe someone had the same problem and could offer a solution on how to get rid of them.

[STRAYKINGFISHER]

Here is a quote I found:

(question)#392 The bug in these photos was found in an out building in a wooded region of the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State. The critter is approximately 45 to 50 millimeters in length and 15 to 20 millimeters in width. Any identification of this cute little critter with the big eyes is appreciated. Thank You, Bob / Tacoma, Washington, USA

(answer)
This is giant water bug (Hemiptera: Belastomatidae), the largest true bugs in North America. Sometimes called ‘toe-biters’ or ‘electric light bugs,’ they are voracious predators on other small aquatic animals (mostly insects, but occasionally including small fish). When they capture prey with their powerful front legs, they inject enzymes that break down the prey’s tissues so that the bug can then ingest the resulting ‘soup’ through its beak. If mishandled, they can deliver a very painful ‘bite’ with that beak. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV

From: http://www.pestcontrolcanada.com/Questi ... 20pest.htm

Take note of the last part of the answer, I would take the turtles out till you find a solution to those bugs, I haven't found a solution yet, only info about them.

[BigCT]

Holy Crap!!!! They found that thing 2 hours from my house!!!

***Mental Note*** Look before putting toes in water.

As for gettign rid of them. I recomend Heavy Duty Smashwithboot. Followed Fast Acting Armflailingscreaming.

If that doesnt work or if they are in deep water I would recomend looking at the 2nd Amendment.

-Big "Scared to death of Bugs" CT

[steve]

if i saw those things around, i would make sure i had a BB gun ready

[GouzlanTheAmerican]

i would have more than a bb gun rdy! more like a G36! and a chain saw! Heack you would see me all decked out in military gear with the swat right behind me!

[bradhart]

Reading this topic, I've been itchy all over... I hate bugs blech!