More on Rain Barrels
Three words: mosquito breeding ground. I think this is a great idea. However, some type of lid that still allows rain water to flow in is essential. Mosquitoes are no joke.
I assure you, I was initially worried about that too. It turns out it was one of those made up worries I tend to have when I’m trying to justify my reservations about adopting some environmentally beneficial practice.
A proper rain barrel will have a lid and some sort of screen to keep the creatures out. Since you use the water within a few days, there shouldn’t be enough time for the mosquitoes to actually breed—but you definitely don’t want squirrels or frogs jumping in. Our rainbarrel came with little screws to firmly attach the lid so local children don’t wander in and drown themselves. I didn’t bother attaching it because, you know, Darwin. But mosquitoes really aren’t a problem if you use the water in a timely fashion.