Mosquito Killing Buckets
You Will Need
An empty bucket - 3-5 gallon
Organic matter – straw, hay, grass clippings or leaves
Water
Bt Mosquito Dunks – Bacillus thuringiensis – a common, naturally occurring bacteria found in soil and used as a biological pest control
This method of mosquito control is a natural, biological way to kill the larvae as an alternative to chemical sprays that kill the adult mosquitoes as well as other insects, including beneficials. The adult female is attracted to the carbon dioxide given off as organic matter breaks down and when she lays her eggs in the water the larvae hatch and are killed by the Bt.
Directions:
1. Add your organic material to the bucket – for a 5-gallon bucket add about 3-4 cups
2. Add water to the bucket about 1/3 to 1/2 full. If using a different size bucket your ratio of water to organic matter should be about 1 to 4.
3. Allow your bucket to sit for 3 to 4 days to begin to ferment, less in hot weather.
4. Add ¼ of a Mosquito Dunk. They can be found at Wal-Mart, Lowe’s, Home Depot or Amazon and cost around $9.00 to $10.00 a pack. One package should last the season
5. If your bucket has a lid, drill several holes in the top or cover with a screen. This allows adult mosquitoes to get in but keeps frogs and other small creatures out. You can also leave the bucket top open and put a couple of long sticks in it so any bees, other insects or creatures can climb out. Bt Mosquito Dunks are not harmful to bees, other insects, or small creatures but they could drown. It is also safe for pets but you probably don’t want them drinking it!
6. Place the bucket behind shrubs or wherever mosquitoes are a problem. You may need several for different areas of your yard. You probably want them several feet away from sitting areas as they will create an odor as the organic matter breaks down.
7. You will need to “refresh” your bucket after about a month or so by adding another dunk. After a heavy rain pour off the excess water – keeping it less than ½ full and you will need to occasionally dump out the organic matter and replace as well.
Also remember our mosquito eating friends, the dragonflies and bats. Dragonflies reportedly can eat up to 100 mosquitoes each per day and bats can consume 6,000 to 8,000 insects per night, including mosquitoes.