If
you've ever had fish lice (argulus) or anchor worm (lernea) in your pond,
you know how hard it is to get rid of these crustacean parasites. Dimilim
is the chemical of choice to eradicate these pests. It is safe for you and
the fish. You can not over dose and it works in one treatment. The problem
with Dimilin is that the US Government has heavily restricted its use. In
order to use this chemical, you have to be an exterminator with a special
license and there for, it is very difficult to obtain. Organophosphates
like Dylox are what we usually have to settle for. These chemicals are
dangerous to humans and fish and because they attack the parasite only
during one phase of its life cycle, you have to treat your pond 4 or 5
times. In addition, there are a few things like water temperature and pH
that affect this life cycle and the effectiveness of the chemical, which
makes it difficult to calculate the treatment. Because of this, often the
treatment is ineffective.
It
turns out that there is now an end run around the Dimilin restrictions.
Program is a pill that you give to your pet dogs and cats to get rid of
fleas. Program, which is actually lufenuron, works exactly like Dimilin.
It works as a gyrase that interferes with the production of chitin in
targeted organisms. Chitin is the shin of most insects and crustaceans.
The treatment or dose is at the rate of 490 milligrams per 1000 gallons of
water. Because Program is nontoxic to fish, you can not over dose. So if
you can't find exactly the right dosage, add a little extra. Even a
quarter of a 490-mg pill for 20-gallon tank would not be too much. You can
find Program in pet supply stores, but it is not as popular as it once was
and maybe hard to find. Also, it is sold in combination with a heart worm
medication and I'm not sure if this combination is safe for fish. I did
find a local pet shop that carried a box of six 409-mg pills for about $32
and I was told that there are Internet companies that still sell plain
Program.
The
US Government had good reason to restrict the use of Dimilin. It also
kills many indigenous beneficial insects and crustaceans like the
dragonfly and crayfish. And because Program will do the same damage, be
careful that you do not dispose of your treated water so that it gets into
local bodies of water or the aquifer. I believe the best way to get rid of
this water is through the city sewage system.
Webmasters
comment: Koivet on page 46 of his book says that in 3 to 4 days they are
gone. It may work sooner but use this as a guide for how long to close the
system.