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Martyman
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Septic tanks have aerobic and anaerobic zones within. I've been a turdherder for years and frankly, it hardly fecal matters
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Mulegena
Could the buggers be coming out of there? |
Could be. There or some other source of standing water.
Put some screen over all openings.
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Martyman
it hardly fecal matters |
 Must be an industry zinger.
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MsTerieus
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
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. |
I strongly doubt it is a cesspool. 1) Most homes in my neighborhood were built with septic tanks, as I understand it. 2) The house I vacated last
August, nearby, has a septic tank. 3) The guy who built the house I recently vacated also built the house I am occupying (unfortunately). 4) When
discussing the "septic tank" to my landlord and with his sons, one of whom built many of the houses up here, they referred to it as a "septic tank"
and/or never corrected me.
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bajaguy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MsTerieus
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
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. |
I strongly doubt it is a cesspool. 1) Most homes in my neighborhood were built with septic tanks, as I understand it. 2) The house I vacated last
August, nearby, has a septic tank. 3) The guy who built the house I recently vacated also built the house I am occupying (unfortunately). 4) When
discussing the "septic tank" to my landlord and with his sons, one of whom built many of the houses up here, they referred to it as a "septic tank"
and/or never corrected me. |
I sincerely doubt they installed a two chamber tank and there are leach lines with drain rock
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MsTerieus
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Islandbuilder
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. |
I am not sure you your advice was directed to, IB: I'm the one with leaks in the lid, but I never mentioned vents, and since my septic tank is buried
in the ground at a level lower than my house, I don't think there could be any pipes in the roof. Thank you for the suggestions on patching the
concrete lid. Would silicone or caulk not work for, say, 8-9 months? (It would just be easier for me, plus, I already have them on hand.)
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bajaguy
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Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MsTerieus
| Quote: | Originally posted by Islandbuilder
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. |
I am not sure you your advice was directed to, IB: I'm the one with leaks in the lid, but I never mentioned vents, and since my septic tank is buried
in the ground at a level lower than my house, I don't think there could be any pipes in the roof. Thank you for the suggestions on patching the
concrete lid. Would silicone or caulk not work for, say, 8-9 months? (It would just be easier for me, plus, I already have them on hand.)
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The pipes on the roof are waste vent pipes......I have seen very few here in Baja
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MsTerieus
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
| 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 |
Thanks, Bajaguy and Dennis. I did not know about the Dept. of Tourism. I emailed Xavier with my question and he replied quickly. (Initially, he
said he was in the process of having someone in his office REPORT this "health problem" to the authorities. I replied that I did not wish to do that,
at this point, I just wanted the info.) Xavier asked someone with whom he works to provide me with info on who I should contact, if need be.
Meanwhile, the (malathion-soaked) rag I shoved into the leaky lid seems to be doing the trick. 
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MsTerieus
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
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. |
If "her" means me, then I should add that this house has been occupied for only 16 months of its life, so I don't know why the septic would need
pumping. As to where it vents - hmmm, I thought I saw a couple of PVC pipes sticking out of the concrete slab that covers the tank, but just what
they are/do, I haven't a clue.
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bajaguy
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Posts: 9247
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Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MsTerieus
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
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. |
The roof vent pipes also help the sinks, tub/shower and toilet drain properly
If "her" means me, then I should add that this house has been occupied for only 16 months of its life, so I don't know why the septic would need
pumping. As to where it vents - hmmm, I thought I saw a couple of PVC pipes sticking out of the concrete slab that covers the tank, but just what
they are/do, I haven't a clue. |
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laventana
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bugman
The same species of mosquito that transmits West Nile virus among other viuruses is very happy breeding in the organic paradise that is a septic tank.
If they have any access at all they will find their way in and begin breeding so please screen off those vents with fine mesh material. They did a
study up in Orange County California to see how far mosquitoes would fly through a narrow pipe to get to a stagnant water source and they ran out of
pipe (over 100') before they found the limit they would fly. Don't underestimate these little buggers! 
PS I work for a large mosquito control program so this is the kind of stuff I deal with everyday. |
I am the
one who is responsible for bringing up this subject concept and trying to get people to screen off septic systems and house vents.
At my webpage www.la-ventana.info under how to stop mosquitoes with a 10 cent screen.
A bit of common sense. Yes how else do they breed, in baja sur we have 2-5 days of rain a year and it is is windy or dry so water does not sit for
breeding.
I discovered it when I bought down here in 1999, first thing I did is modified my septic system from a standard one to allow me to flush toilet paper
and have it break down. A reason you do have a vent on the tank is to prevent back-flow problems in case the pipes were not the right large enough
diameter, else you can have a condition were it sucks the water out of your house traps. So I also put in a clean-out door on the system.
Because it was built in the summer when I was not here first thing I did was open the trap to inspect that chamber 1 was holding liquid. And when I
opened it a bunch of mosquitoes flew out at me. First thought is ick if they are breeding in that yuck. So immediately cover the vent and in a
week no more mosquitoes on my property.
Then a year later a very large campground not far from me was infested with mosquitoes. I gave them a present of the non-believers and said cover
the 4 inch septic vents and you will not have mosquitoes. They did and what they told me was in the morning they looked in the white pipe and it
was black, there were thousands wanting out. In a week they literally went from you could not be outside in the evening to almost nothing. This
has been repeated there a few times when the screens fall off over the years.
When the two hurricanes hit one month apart i think in 2003 this allowed standing water and we had an epidemic of dengue and I came down to my local
area to see if I could get them to do something, talked to the Ejido and they said they would hold a meeting, but never did. So read in the world
health organization that adults are generally not a good way to effect change, so went to the schools and talked to the kids and gave them screen and
wire. The kids were amazing; they went and did as many as they could. A friend who lived in the village said he went from 100s of mosquitos in
his house to about 5 or so a night. Again this happens fast about a week you see the difference. This mosquito has a typical range of 100
yards.
Remember in the desert they need a place to rest that has humidity. (that is why on plants that give off moisture they will rest on the bottom of
the leaf. (a friend of mine was in the military and he was involved in mosquito testing to prevent biological warfare using mosquitoes, so learned a
lot about the behavior from him, how they see in infrared track carbon dioxide) so mosquitoes fly back to the septic system that is also an ideal
resting place that has the moisture levels they need.
I have people reporting to me they have seen cracks in septic tanks where clouds of them fly out here in the baja at dusk, same with a report of a
septic tube where they could see a cloud of them flying out.
Also I have a link to a florida home where they could not figure it out, they leave the home in the summer and lock it up and find many dead mosquitos
and alive when they return in winter. It was finally figured out that the sink water traps dry out and they enter the home from there and this was
on a city sewage system but they have a house stink tubes as all houses do in the USA mandated by code.
I was always told by medical people and experts that this dengue carrying AE mosquito cannot breed in septic systems so they dismissed my findings.
Yet in baja sur this is the only mosquito we have all others cannot handle our environment to date. Well finally I found a article the department
of defense did a study in Puerto Rico, and did find them in many septic systems. But not all, again some septic systems may have very narrow
vent tubes and other variations in design. But as I mentions one septic system is capable of clouds. After all they tell you even a bottle cap
with water will be a problem at a home after a rain.
Now what I tried to do was get funding from the Gates foundation to actually use this to our advantage. So we know they fly in so it is a natural
lure/bait. So why not make this journey a one way one. I.E. a one way trap. That is what I am looking for funding for. Gates foundation
denied me, why I do not know maybe it is not a sexy approach? If anyone has the connections to help me I would appreciate it.
I have many links on my website
www.la-ventana.info under mosquitoes.
[Edited on 6-3-2013 by laventana]
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monoloco
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Great post laventana. I would like to add that polyurethane caulk is much more effective than silicone in fixing cracks in concrete.
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laventana
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There is also a very positive new attempt to stop the AE mosquito. I have it listed on my site too. Basically they found a germ that is in many
insects and they put it in fruit flies that shortened their life cycle.
So they did this with the dengue carrying AE mosquito. IE to try to shorten its life which would decrease dengue transmission. It turned out with
this bacteria maybe it was a virus that the mosquito would no longer carry dengue which was not anticipated. This worked in one island, and a
country in south america is going to be the next test. It takes about 2 years to develop the strain to be released to breed with the other
mosquitoes.
I still think my trap solves a different need if that does work.
[Edited on 6-4-2013 by laventana]
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by laventana
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The vent coming straight up from the tank is unnecessary if the tank vents through the house plumbing. Why is it there?
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Mulegena
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by laventana
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The vent coming straight up from the tank is unnecessary if the tank vents through the house plumbing. Why is it there? |
I'm guessing the short tank vent is capped and placed so the tank can be cleaned out.
The screen on the house vent is essential. Thanks to this thread I questioned my husband about this; yes, its screened to keep skeeters out. They're
still attracted to it and will come around, but can't get in to nest and breed.
I've found out that most people do not screen their vent-valves down here-- ick!
I like the screen-funnel-trap as it acts as a mosquito abatement system. If every house had one it might make a real difference down here in the very
humid parts of Baja.
"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
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| Quote: | | Quote: | Originally posted by Mulegena
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I'm guessing the short tank vent is capped and placed so the tank can be cleaned out.
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I figured it was there only for illustration, but I thought there may be some here who don't know about such things and might benefit from it in the
future. 
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J.P.
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SEPTIC
CESPOOL is a closed tank which requires pumping
CESPIT is what most houses have down here it works much like a single chamber Septic tank with the exception of leach lines
The Cespit has openings all around the top half for fluid to leach out and the bottom half collects the sludge. I have lived in my house for 10years
and it has never needed pumping. We use it like you would a system in the States which includes flushing paper and drain for the washing machine Never
a problem.
although this system has been outlawed in Most of the U.S. it is the most prevalent system in use here.
[Edited on 6-4-2013 by J.P.]
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DENNIS
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| Quote: | Originally posted by J.P.
I have lived in my house for 10years and it has never needed pumping. |
That's probably because you live on a steep hillside, doncha think, John? I wouldn't want to see soil samples of all the tenants at Packard that live
at a lower level than yours.....and there are a lot of them.
By the way.....I think a cesspool and a cesspit are the same thing.
.
[Edited on 6-4-2013 by DENNIS]
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J.P.
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soil
Not so my house is less than 100yds from the water and the soil is no more or less tainted than it would be in any other neighborhood.
the soil here is quite sandy I am more worried about what would happen if it ever became saturated to the point it turns liquid. what a landslide.
as far as the septic goes I am ok with what I have and whether or not you will admit it or not you are a minority of one with the system you have in
your neighbor hood. which I agree with you they should be more. But it is what it is.
You are right about the usage of the two words they are the same so is Septic they are all components of a waste removal system.
[Edited on 6-4-2013 by J.P.]
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laventana
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| Quote: | | Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by Mulegena
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I'm guessing the short tank vent is capped and placed so the tank can be cleaned out.
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I figured it was there only for illustration, but I thought there may be some here who don't know about such things and might benefit from it in the
future. |
correct because most
in my area are constructed this way, but if the piping is small diameter or they did not put in stink tubes (vents in the house ) which I have seen
many times in the construction down here, you will need the bleed off tube at the septic tank. BTW in Europe they do not always use stink tubes.
They use a product like this that can be found in the US at home depots. It is spring loaded. I put them in my place so I would not have to
run stink tubes. Many people down here use their roof tops and boy you can tell who vent upwind stink tubes or not. There is also a spring loaded
one designed for stink tubes and outside sun. Using these I did not have to have stink tubes all over just one that was not in a typical location.
[Edited on 6-4-2013 by laventana]
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