Smelly water butt

[BB48]

I got a new water butt in June thinking it would be a while before it filled up with the BBQ summer we were promised - how silly of me!! Anyway it reeeeks. There is a lid on top but a small gap between pipe and lid and loads of midge type things in there. I have been told to drop small amount of cooking oil to help with the midges but what caused the terrible smell and how do I ged rid. Is is safe to use - if ever stops raining that is.

BB

[Two_Sheds]

Have you got rotten leaves and stuff in the bottom?

[Two_Sheds]

I keep goldfish in my butts to eat the midge larvae

[bazzaboy]

Not dead goldfish is it BB48? b

[bazzaboy]

Er, a more sensible response... I'm mystified by this as I have several water butts about the place and none has midges or smells... A tighter lid might help but its probably the smell attracting the insects.... I guess you'll need to check there's nothing dead in it.... What's the water supply? It shouldn't smell, it shouldn't attract midges etc if it's fresh and regularly used... And I feel very sorry for TwoSheds goldfish..... Mystified. b.

[Littlemouse]

I think I read somewhere that if you place some charcoal in the bottom of your water butt it will keep the water sweet and also to keep lid closed shut. Haven't tried charcoal myself yet.

[Peter Bluestar]

I had a smelly water butt problem which I brought to this forum. Best advice I got here was to clean it out & start again.

It turned out to be cat pooh which was a bit unpleasant. Hope yours is not as bad.

[rustylady]

I had a smelly water butt problem which I brought to this forum. Best advice I got here was to clean it out & start again.

It turned out to be cat pooh which was a bit unpleasant. Hope yours is not as bad.

How on earth did a cat manage to poo in your water butt?

[Dottie]

I've read but not used, a drop of cooking oil in the water butt stops midges, as they can't breath.

[Snadger]

I sometimes get a smelly butt , but wouldn't stick a goldfish in it!

[hsthst]

The "midges" will be mosquitos and you'd be locked up in some places in Africa for providing such a breeding place. Wait till we start getting malaria here!!! Veggie oil will do the trick

[Skotch]

I keep goldfish in my butts to eat the midge larvae

I can vouch for this system - we have Fanny the Wonderfish gorging herself on larvae every year - not a single bite from mossies when we sit by the shed

[BB48]

thanks guys - will empty and start again. I'm sure it wont take long to refill!!! Should the lid and pipe be airtight do you think? Some plots have open butts and no problem so am mystified. Hope there isnt anything too horrible in there.

BB

[Pies]

stagnent water will stink,id rather leave the lid off,at least when it rains your water will get a bit of a refresh

[Two_Sheds]

No lid = lots of sunlight = green water