Mosquito fogging has many drawbacks. The chemicals used can irritate the respiratory system and may cause other health issues, particularly for those with asthma. Fogging can harm beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, disrupt ecosystems, and potentially contribute to pesticide resistance in mosquito populations. Mosquito bait buckets are an environmentally friendly solution.
Creating a DIY mosquito bait bucket using Mosquito Dunks® is an effective and eco-friendly way to control mosquito populations in Ontario. A commercially available product called Mosquito Dunks® (often available at your local hardware store or maybe garden centre) contains a specific bacterium called Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti). Bti, which occurs naturally in soil, is impregnated into compressed discs; Bti specifically targets the larvae (hatched eggs) laid by the female mosquito. Bti does not harm plants, beneficial insects, reptiles, amphibians, pets, or humans.
HOW TO MAKE A DIY BAIT BUCKET
Materials Needed:
- 5-gallon plastic bucket (preferably dark-coloured)
- Mosquito Dunks® (or similar Bti source)
- Organic matter (e.g., grass clippings)
- Water (why not use your rain water!)
- Optional: Stick; mesh cover
Instructions:
- Prepare the Bucket:
- The bucket will do best in a spot away from where you gather (it might stink a bit!) and in the shade (so it doesn’t evaporate too easily).
- Add Water:
- Half-fill the bucket with water. Because you don’t want to kill the bacteria, let the tap water sit for a few days before adding the Bti supplement.
- Introduce Organic Matter:
- Add a few handfuls of organic material such as grass clippings or pulled weeds for a few days. As this material degrades, it will produce carbon dioxide and other aromatics which will alert the female mosquito to come to the Perfect Place To Lay Her Eggs!
- Add a Mosquito Dunk:
- Add 1/4 of a Mosquito Dunk® into the bucket. When Dunks are used for larger containers (ponds, ditches with standing water, rain barrels), the suggested coverage is to use “one dunk for every 100 square feet of water surface” … so use just ¼ per bucket at most. As the Bti are released, you will need to replace the Dunk about every 30 days.
- Optional Enhancements:
- Stick: Place a stick or wooden dowel vertically in the bucket to provide a landing spot for mosquitoes and an escape route for non-target creatures.
- Mesh Cover: Although the water is not dangerous, you may want to add a protective cover to deter other wildlife. Use mesh that is large enough to allow mosquitoes easy access to the water. You can secure the mesh using zip ties or tape.
- Maintenance:
- Watch the water level: rain can overflow it; hot days can evaporate it. Top it up as needed.
- Add another ¼ Dunk about every 30 days!
Additional Tips:
- Where? To ensure the mosquitoes aren’t distracted by humans, place the bucket(s) in quiet spaces (under shrubs, at the back of a garden bed, etc.)
- A Big Backyard?
- a) Consider adding more buckets in your yard to increase coverage.
- b) Host A Neighbourhood Mosquito Bait Bucket Party: When there’s a bucket in every backyard, everyone wins, but the mosquitoes.
Adding a Mosquito Bait Bucket can help reduce the number of adult mosquitoes by preventing next generations from developing. Using a safe bacterium like Bti will keep your backyard an active haven for pollinators and humans!
You can join the Homegrown National Park Mosquito Bucket Challenge here homegrownnationalpark.org/mosquito-bucket-challenge/
