Using natural or biological methods, it is feasible to decrease mosquito populations surrounding a residence. For example, mosquitoes that spawn and forage in a particular location might be controlled by predatory fish, plant repellents, bacteria, and even other mosquitoes.
Try these natural mosquito-removal treatments in addition to the usual ones:
Mosquitofish
The Gambusia is a tiny freshwater fish prevalent in the Southeastern United States. They are surface feeders, eating hundreds of mosquito eggs and larvae per day. A dozen gambusia is enough to cover 48 square feet of water. The fish are tough and can survive in stagnant water. They only grow to approximately two inches long and reproduce to the capacity of their area to avoid overpopulation. The fish are used in many regional mosquito control efforts, and they are frequently given out for free to pest-infested houses.
Mosquitofish must only be employed in water that is not connected to lakes, streams, or rivers since they will eat the eggs and offspring of other bugs and fish. The demise of some native amphibian species is due to excessive fish utilization. If applied in a dry region, like a wetland or swamp, they might have to be changed every year.
Dragonflies
Mosquitoes are naturally preyed upon by dragonflies and damselflies at all phases of their lifetime. Dragonfly and damselfly larvae are both aquatic, and the former is preyed upon by the latter. Adult mosquitoes are eaten by dragonflies and damselflies. When you see these lovely insects surrounding your pond, you know you are receiving some natural mosquito treatment! Frogs and toads, among other pond creatures, eat both adult and larvae mosquitoes. A body of water will aid mosquito management on your property with a diverse habitat that encourages dragonflies, frogs, toads, and mosquito fish. These insects may appear to be frightening biters, although they are primarily only a threat to mosquitoes. Adult dragonflies eat adult mosquitoes, whereas dragonfly larvae, or “nymphs,” eat mosquito larvae.
The secret to enticing dragonflies is to create a pleasant and safe habitat for them. A little reservoir with flora that sprouts from the water and plenty of flat rocks around it, shallower at one end than the other, should suffice. The nymphs will consume mosquito larvae in the water, while the adults will sunbathe on the rocks and wait for the adults to come up.
Purple martins
Purple martins are sometimes described as birds who consume “thousands of mosquitoes.” While they do consume mosquitoes, they seek larger meals, as do most carnivores. A plump bug such as a fly, moth, dragonfly, butterfly, or June bug will offer a purple martin a lot more bang for its buck than a tiny mosquito, so that is what they will go after. Purple martins also like to forage high in the air, well beyond the level at which most of the mosquitos we are focused on spend their time. Mosquitoes that bite people seldom fly higher than 20 feet above the ground. Purple martins do consume mosquitos, although they only comprise around 3% of their diet.
Bats
Bats are occasionally marketed as mosquito repellents. They eat mosquitoes, and because they fly at dusk, they are out when mosquitoes are most active. The difficulty is that they appreciate a wide variety of foods and will consume a wide variety of insects. Therefore, mosquitoes only make up a minor portion of their diet. Nevertheless, like purple martins, bats consume a variety of insects that are bothersome or hazardous to humans and their plants, so having them in the area has advantages, even if it will not significantly lower mosquito populations.
Rosemary, citrosa, and lemon thyme
Mosquito-repelling oils are said to be found in these and other plants. The citrosa is even referred to as the “mosquito plant” due to its alleged ability to repel bugs. The issue with utilizing any plant to minimize mosquitoes would be that the oil is not normally emitted into the air by an untouched plant. Before the oil is discharged, the leaves must be broken, but even still, it does not disperse extensively. Although, this does not prevent the possibility of these plants being used in natural mosquito repellant.
Several of them have a lovely scent and may be placed in high-traffic areas of the property, such as around patios, decks, and back doors, to keep the leaves from being disturbed. While outside, people can pick the leaves and apply them to their skin or clothes.
Bacteria: Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis
This naturally present bacterium is employed as a mosquito larvacide in lakes and other hatching sites. So, when the larvae eat it in the water, they perish. Therefore, businesses cultivate Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI) in fish products or soy flour and distribute it as pellets. The pellets are commonly marketed under the Mosquito Dunks brand at home and garden retailers. Simply put the pellets into water, where they will float and release BTI over time.
When the larvae feed on the bacterium, it transforms into various harmful compounds in their stomachs, killing them swiftly. Animals, birds, and even most other insects are unaffected by BTI. It only works on mosquito larvae and has no impact on adult mosquitos.