Living with Mosquitoes

By Abby Stocking

Mosquitoes get a bad rap. They are usually only associated with their propensity to swarm humans and cause itchy rashes. Some people go so far as wishing these insects never existed. However, if we took away all mosquitoes, we would deprive the ecosystem of an important food source. Young mosquitoes live in water and are eaten by fish and other aquatic creatures. Adult mosquitoes are eaten by bats, dragonflies, birds and frogs. As far as the mosquitoes’ feeding habits, it is only the females that seek out mammals for a blood meal to help them produce eggs. Male mosquitoes eat nectar and provide pollination for plants. Our ecosystem needs mosquitoes.

With that said, with the introduction of the Asian Tiger Mosquito into North America, these small insects can become a nuisance when humans want to enjoy time outside in the warmer months. Many homeowners have turned to spraying their yards as their preferred pest control method. Unfortunately, untargeted spraying is often shown to be ineffective in creating true mosquito control, and it is harmful to many other native insects.

Doug Tallamy, author of Bringing Nature Home, suggests using methods aimed at controlling the larval stage as a more effective way to diminish mosquito numbers around dwellings. Try using these instructions to build a mosquito trap around your home that is safer for all non-mosquito life.

How to Make a Mosquito Larva Trap

Materials:

• Bucket (ex. 5-gallon construction one)

• Straw or hay

• Water

• Mosquito Dunk® or another brand with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)

• Chicken wire or other wide screening (optional)

Instructions:

1. Add 3-4 handfuls of hay or straw to the bucket.

2. Fill bucket half-way with water.

3. Allow the water and hay to ferment for 2-3 days.

4. Add the Mosquito Dunk® on top of the fermenting solution.

5. Cover the bucket with chicken wire or wide screening that allows adult mosquitoes into the solution but keeps other critters out.

6. Set in a sunny spot or in dappled shade.

7. Replace the Mosquito Dunk® and solution once a month.