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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by sharktooth
2: a vent pipe coming out of the ground near my septic tank
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You can do away with that vent. It isn't necessary and it's too close to nose level.
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MsTerieus
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Registered: 6-8-2010
Location: Punta Banda, Ensenada, Baja California
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I just found this site in a search for "mosquitoes," which are breeding in the septic tank serving my rental house. The problem appears to be
cracks/hole in the "lid" to the tank. My landlord, who owns a major portion of this area, including several vacant houses, would barely look at the
swarm of mosquitoes I showed him and just kept saying, when I asked him to fix the leaks, "... there is nothing I can do. Mosquitoes are everywhere
here." ( I'll BET they are - probably breeding in every septic tank in his vacant houses!) When I finally got him to acknowledge at least one hole in
the lid, where the pests were flying in and out as we spoke, he graciously - well, grudgingly, actually - said "Well OK. I'll go get a rag to stick
in it."
I told him "no thanks" and stuck a rag in, myself (and sprayed the area w/malathion), but am wondering about whether calking would work, temporarily.
(I can't/won't seal the lid shut or pay money to fix my landlord's septic lids permanently.)
I ALSO wonder: Is there a government agency (e.g., Health Department) that might possibly be interested in this problem? (There are, indeed, a lot
of mosquitoes in my neighborhood, despite its windy, relatively cool weather.)
[Edited on 11-26-2012 by MsTerieus]
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woody with a view
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a tube of caulking will set you back about $5. i can't believe $5 is too much to potentially save you from west nile virus!
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MsTerieus
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Registered: 6-8-2010
Location: Punta Banda, Ensenada, Baja California
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| Quote: | Originally posted by woody with a view
a tube of caulking will set you back about $5. i can't believe $5 is too much to potentially save you from west nile virus! |
You misunderstood my post. I asked about whether caulking would work because that much I am willing to spend. (Actually I have some already.)
[Edited on 11-26-2012 by MsTerieus]
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DENNIS
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Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MsTerieus
(I can't/won't seal the lid shut or pay money to fix my landlord's septic lids permanently.)
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Jeeezo....where did you move to? Sounds as though you took a drop in life-style.
I wouldn't do business with a landlord who was so uncaring and inconsiderate. Move on.
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DENNIS
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Another thing....you probably don't have a septic tank. More likely it's a cesspool. Go to QUIMICAL in Maneadero and get a spray for mosquitos and
kill them....before they kill you.
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MsTerieus
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by MsTerieus
(I can't/won't seal the lid shut or pay money to fix my landlord's septic lids permanently.)
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Jeeezo....where did you move to? Sounds as though you took a drop in life-style.
I wouldn't do business with a landlord who was so uncaring and inconsiderate. Move on. |
Still in same neighborhood, Dennis. My landlord owns most of it. (He's old, old-fashioned, and Mexican.) The homes look like a million dollars
(much more, if in CA), so I did not expect to have a drop in lifestyle, but the homes are badly built (which I knew), and the landlord is not too
helpful (which I did not).
It's a touchy situation, as I really don't want to alienate him or his (big) family, since they are almost the "only game in town" (i.e., this part of
PB). 
[Edited on 11-26-2012 by MsTerieus]
[Edited on 11-26-2012 by MsTerieus]
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MsTerieus
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Location: Punta Banda, Ensenada, Baja California
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
Another thing....you probably don't have a septic tank. More likely it's a cesspool. Go to QUIMICAL in Maneadero and get a spray for mosquitos and
kill them....before they kill you. |
I sprayed the entire yard with malathion, yesterday. I think it killed everything but I haven't checked, today, other than to spot one mosquito
flying around the living room. (The spraying was the 3rd or 4th time I have sprayed the outside, with either malathion or with Home Defense, because
before the mosquitoes - and still - I have been inundated with ants. Of course, I've been spraying the inside of the house too, and using baits, for
the ants.)
At this point, I probably should worry more about pesticide poisoning than mosquito-carried disease.
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MsTerieus
since they are almost the "only game in town" (i.e., this part of PB).
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Personally, living up there in the clouds wouldn't be adaquate compensation for the landlord abuse, for me anyway. There are other areas with nice
rentals around here and you wouldn't have to put up with that crappy road.
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durrelllrobert
Elite Nomad
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Location: Punta Banda BC
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MsTerieus
Mosquitoes are everywhere here." ( I'll BET they are - probably breeding in every septic tank in his vacant houses!) I ALSO wonder: Is there a
government agency (e.g., Health Department) that might possibly be interested in this problem? (There are, indeed, a lot of mosquitoes in my
neighborhood, despite its windy, relatively cool weather.)
[Edited on 11-26-2012 by MsTerieus] |
Solving the problem at your house doesn't PERMANENTLY fix the problem if the neighborhood is infested since they will just keep comming back. That's
why CA doesn't treat the hole-in-the ground type toilets in the restrooms at remote rest stops and campgrounds.
Bob Durrell
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MsTerieus
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Location: Punta Banda, Ensenada, Baja California
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| Quote: | Originally posted by durrelllrobert
| Quote: | Originally posted by MsTerieus
Mosquitoes are everywhere here." ( I'll BET they are - probably breeding in every septic tank in his vacant houses!) I ALSO wonder: Is there a
government agency (e.g., Health Department) that might possibly be interested in this problem? (There are, indeed, a lot of mosquitoes in my
neighborhood, despite its windy, relatively cool weather.)
[Edited on 11-26-2012 by MsTerieus] |
Solving the problem at your house doesn't PERMANENTLY fix the problem if the neighborhood is infested since they will just keep comming back. That's
why CA doesn't treat the hole-in-the ground type toilets in the restrooms at remote rest stops and campgrounds. |
But "permanently" fixing my septic would at least keep most of them from swarming around my house and in through my doors.
I really would like to know if there is not a government agency that (at least, on paper) deals with mosquito infestations, just so I have the
information.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
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Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MsTerieus
I really would like to know if there is not a government agency that (at least, on paper) deals with mosquito infestations, just so I have the
information. |
There was and probably still is. When I lived in town, I'd see pickups with spray equipment and signs on the side that said...... ANTI PALUDISMO.
That's Malaria in the local lingo.
Contact the health department and make your inquiry.
http://www.salud.gob.mx/
.
[Edited on 11-26-2012 by DENNIS]
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MsTerieus
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by MsTerieus
I really would like to know if there is not a government agency that (at least, on paper) deals with mosquito infestations, just so I have the
information. |
There was and probably still is. When I lived in town, I'd see pickups with spray equipment and signs on the side that said...... ANTI PALUDISMO.
That's Malaria in the local lingo.
Contact the health department and make your inquiry.
http://www.salud.gob.mx/
Thank you, Dennis. I HAD searched the Salud website and seen many articles/references relating to "mosquitos", "malaria," etc. but did not know who
(which department or division) might be in charge or whether anyone worked on this in the State of BC. Not being fluent in Espanol, I sort of
stalled there. I just tried searching further, and even when shown a list of the "commissions" and sub-departments of the agency, I cannot discern
which (if any) are connected to public health problems such as mosquito control. |
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Then call the Dept of Tourism and say you're a visitor and being eaten alive. They speak English and should steer you in the right direction
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MsTerieus
I really would like to know if there is not a government agency that (at least, on paper) deals with mosquito infestations, just so I have the
information. |
For the Municipality of Ensenada, e-mail this guy. He can either point you in the right direction or send the info to someone in the Municipal
government:
Xavier Rivas xavier@rivas.com
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Islandbuilder
Senior Nomad
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Earlier you mentioned that you had two vents; one on the roof, and one near your (supposed location) septic tank. A suggestion was made to tear it
out, because it's a bad place for a vent. True. But it may be a pumpout standpipe, and removing it might make things much worse.
I suggest that you measure it (4" probably) and buy a PVC glue on cap, and just slip it over the pipe without gluing it.
I also suggest buying a bit of patching cement, it comes in 1 to 5 pound boxes NOB, and use that to patch cracks in septic tank lids (assuming the
lid is cast concrete). If the lid is plastic, then siliconized caulk is likely your best bet.
I see no problem with putting screen over the roof vent, except for the danger to you to install it. If it plugs up, you'll notice the house smelling
bad, if it does, get that screen off there ASAP so you don't turn the place into a methane bomb.
A properly functioning septic tank shouldn't have much odor, but it needs lots of air and lots of aerobic bacteria to make it work right If it
stinks, not enough air, and the wrong kind of wee beasties.
You can fix that by getting air back into the tank (un-plugging the vent screen) and buying a few containers of Septic Tank bacteria. Not sure where
to find it in your area, but a plumber should know.
Good luck.
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Mulegena
Super Nomad
Posts: 2412
Registered: 11-7-2006
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as somebody said to somebody else, "Put a sock in it!"
So, to allow air to vent but to keep the sancudos at bay, could I put an old cotton sock over the 4-inch vent pipe? One of those big, grey ones that
my husband wears for work that's lost its mate to the washing machine grinches?
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
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Location: Punta Banda
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As I mentioned earlier, it's probably a cesspool rather than a properly built septic system which will breath/vent through the plumbing vent lines.
I know the area and the local level of knowledge of septic systems and they call everything a septic tank without having a clue as to what it means.
In the first place, her cesspool probably needs to be pumped. That would be the first step.
Oh well.......this will go nowhere so good luck.
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Mulegena
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relocate to Baja Home Building section
I'm reading this thread with genuine interest as husband and I are building our home here.
I don't know much more than beans about septic systems vs. cesspools.
I do know our temporary rental trailer's in-ground holding system has a standing 4-inch pipe which is open at the top. I also know there are mega
skeeters around our camp. Could the buggers be coming out of there?
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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desertcpl
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Mulegena
I would guess yes they are coming out of the vent
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