Eco-Friendly Mosquito Control

Font Size: + -

Feedback Print

Building Dunk Buckets

One sustainable solution to mitigate mosquito populations without spraying harmful chemicals is through the use of dunk buckets. With the right materials, you can lure female mosquitos into laying their eggs in buckets of water containing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bti). The eggs will then hatch but the larvae won’t make it to adulthood! Strategically placing dunk buckets around a neighborhood can reduce the adult mosquito population.

Dunk buckets contain Bti, which is:

An organism, not a chemical. The Bti bacteria produce a toxin that kills mosquito larvae and fungus gnat larvae.
Not toxic to people, pets, or bees!

Bti larvicide dunks should only be used in standing water in containers on your property that do not drain to open waterways, storm drains, ponds or wetlands. Mosquito Dunks (or other Bti brand) can be purchased online and at most hardware stores.

Instructions

In order to make your own dunk bucket, you will need a bucket, straw or hay, water, Mosquito Dunk® or another brand containing Bti, and chicken wire or similar metal screening (optional). Then, follow these steps to assemble your bucket. For a short tutorial video, follow along HERE.

Put 3 to 4 cups of your straw or hay to the bucket
Fill the bucket up halfway with water. The ratio of hay to water should be about 1:4
Allow the water and organic matter to sit for around 3 days, to ferment.
After a few days have passed, place the Mosquito Dunk on top of the solution.
(Optional) Cover the bucket with a metal mesh such as chicken wire that allows adult mosquitos in but keeps other critters out.
Change every few weeks!

Over time, your dunk bucket should reduce mosquito populations without harming other insects or critters. Dunk Buckets are safe for people and pets, though touching or consuming the solution is not recommended.

Resources