Rain barrels??

**Chea** · 05-28-2004, 03:26 PM

I really would love to use some of this rain we get up here in Mi. Rain barrels are so expensive. Has anyone made their own?? I was looking at the logistics of it and for a very simple one I was thinking a garbage can with a tigh fitting lid, rubber hosing to run from the gutter to the top of the lid and maybe a screen of some sort to filter the water. Anyone ever attempted?

**Missy** · 05-28-2004, 04:09 PM

Sounds like it would work! We don't get alot of rain here(especially the past few years) And because of the West Nile scare and the HUGE number of people and animals that got sick from it last year, we are not allowed in city limits to have rain barrels

**homesteadmamma** · 05-28-2004, 04:17 PM

Garbage cans work perfect. BUT you need to make sure you have a tight fitting lid so that mosquitoes don't breed in the standing water. One way to avoid that is to put a bit of bleach in the water. West Nile virus can be very dangerous if its in your area.

**Chea** · 05-28-2004, 11:58 PM

West Nile Virus has indeed hit Michigan hard in some areas. Wouldn't having a tight fitting lit (maybe even with locking handles on the sides) prevent any worries about West Nile? I may attempt it this weekend!

**Missy** · 05-29-2004, 12:14 AM

preventing the eggs from being able to mature is a huge measureof defense against it. the bleach is great for that. find a tight fitting lid and don't forget to use it (that would be me, lol). It sounds like it would be a fantastic Idea! Let us know how it works out for you!

**Jerseygirl** · 05-31-2004, 07:40 PM

Be careful about lleaving a lg amount of water out, kids and critters tend to get into.---Kellie

**canadian gardener** · 05-31-2004, 10:18 PM

My dad has several, Put a mosquito net cover on, make it with an elastic like a shower cap to cover so the females can't lay their eggs in the rain barrel.

Whether you have west nile or not, mosquitos are a terrible nuisance and you should eliminate all still or standing water pools in your yard or cover like this.

i would throw a little bleach in anyways, that water gets icky! Pond scummy icky!!!!

My dad has them up in the Yukon at his cabin, they are great for watering my step mum's garden.

My nephews got silly and were playing in them, and got all filthy stinky and we had to dump them in the lake to clean up. They are much loved by kids which is a nuisance at best and a hazard for toddlers who can drown in them.