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brown worm things swimming in water ... any ideas what they could be?

some water had built up in a wheel barrow and we found hundredsof little animals swimming in it. They are about half an inch long, a reddy brown colour and wriggle constantly unless taken out of the water when they then curl up. Does anyone have any idea what they are and if they are harmful to any plants in the garden? ok then mosquito larve ... how do i get rid? just tried bleach ... didnt work, any other suggestions?

Public Comments

1. Mosquito larvae. Additional: Empty the water out onto the garden. They will die. Simple as that.
2. Mosqutos
3. Yes - mozzy larvae - put a small amount of petrol into the water to kill them, or you'll be sorry later when they hatch & come looking for your blood!
4. Maybe mosquito larvae? Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. I've seen little bugs like that in puddles where i keep my horse. The best thing is to make sure there isn't any water pooled anywhere after it rains.
5. Possibly mosquito larvae. pour them off, before they develop into biting mosquito's
6. mosquito larvae
7. mosquitoes when they are young. Best to douse the water with a bit of bleach to kill the buggers just because "a few less mosquitoes don't make me shed a tear"
8. Yep, they turn into 'buzzy-ouch-slaps" RScott
9. Err yuck. Sounds like some Chinese soup.
10. Mosquito larvae, get rid of it quick lol
11. Yep def skeeter larvae...mosquito's cant harm your plants...but they can carry diseases. You best bet is to dump out any thing that has water in it after it rains or after you water the garden, to avoid any breeding grounds....Kimmie
12. just dump out the wheel barrow... or add some goldfish to eat them.
13. Just dump the wheel barrow's water onto an area that will dry completely........side walk, dry earth, whatever. Then scrub out the wheelbarrow with a stiff brush and soapy water. Larvae can only live where it is moist.......which is why I wouldn't pour them onto shrubbery if you live in a wet climate and the larvae might continue developing in small water pockets. Now walk around and look for other breeding sites. Don't forget rain gutters. They don't always drain properly. Squirt some dish soap into the gutters.......or even salad oil.