Hi all

Twice now, that I waded into my pond to right plant boxes or re arrange stuff, I have ended up with bites on my legs. Initially I though Mosquitoes, but no way would mossies bite me ~25 / 30 times on the back of the legs..... Spiders, I dont think so either.

The bites look like mossi bites, but once scratched, they form like a see though crust??? And damn, do they itch......

Im sure its something in the pond that attacks me??? Any ideas?

Hi. I have no idea-just want to add that you can be very lucky it was only on the back of your legs!
Just to be safe,I would wear a skipant next time.(and maybe a ballbox too!) I can recommend Teetree oil for the insectbites,available at Clicks,it works very well.
Good luck.
Philip

your fish are hungry and trying to tell you something!

Water scorpion maybe? They give quite a sting and an itch. You find them quite often in farm dams but sometimes end up in a pond via plants where the lay their eggs, although big koi will grab them quite fast. A dose of Dimillin @ 10g / 10 000 liter will sort them out if it is scorpions, and it is harmless to koi.

I got quite a few stings last year when swimming in one of those round concrete farm dam.

Fortunately they are not poisonous like their land counterpart. Only give a "nice" sting.

'n 'nice' sting? Jy klink nou soos die dametjie wat lank terug in my slaapkamer 'n sweep uit haar handsak uitgehaal het.

Ek het haar gedimillin by die deur uit!

So yesterday I decide I am going to move some rocks and plants around. Knowing what I went through about a week ago, i put on my "sharkskin" suit (a lycra one piece suit I normally war under my wetsuit) and off I went to the pond.

I did feel a bite under my watch.... but not the other 40+ bites (again ) all over my legs, arms and back.... Damn,,,, it must be something smaller than water scorpions as the sharkskin does have small holes it it.

Daphnia perhaps???

I've "dredged" the pond with a bucket and spent hours looking at the stuff floating around, amazing i must say. Worms, snails, wiggly things etc. Havent seen any Daphnia or anything that might come across as nasty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!