Got Mosquitoes? 6 Ecological Solutions For You and Your Community

My county is experiencing record numbers of mosquitoes this year, and I got EATEN UP last night on my walk. The industrial "fix" to population booms in mosquitoes is to spray more insecticide. And more insecticide, and put more insecticide on our bodies and clothes.
But what are the ecological solutions that actually work? Here are 6 immediate and long term, ecologically responsible ways to reduce mosquito problems for us as individuals, and our communities as a whole.
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[@Brennannnnnnnnn]

One major source of standing water are gutters with negative slope.

[@shawnplowman7924]

Last year for the first time I had a severe mosquito infestation. This is what I did: 1) removed all standing water, including water inside of bromeliads and garden art 2) I stopped using self watering pots, they got really bad 3) I started cleaning my birdbaths more 4) I learned I need to clean water barrels 1-2 times a year 5) I put oil on top of my rain barrels. So far this year…no mosquitos

[@WynterDragon]

I did mosquito control on the east coast a long time ago. First task was to look for and eleminate standing water and then we mostly used BT dunks and bits. Thankfully they'd stopped spraying by then due to law suits. It did make me very aware of just how little water they need to breed; I'm constantly flipping muck tubs over, tipping the wheel barrow and anything that can hold water to prevent them. No matter how often I lecture him, my partner always forgets.

[@marykappesser5145]

You are singing my song! Last 4 weeks I have been eaten up. Not just mosquitos, but also fleas. We have had an explosion of rabbits in my part of city. The increase in the habited areas of my yard by rabbits have brought in fleas. I was miserable last night, having to take a Bendadryl at 4 am to get relief. Family wants me to use Sevin, I said No and explained why. Just read that people with O+ blood type attract them more too. Sigh... can't change that.

[@gardenstatesowandsew]

I’ve tried everything you’ve mentioned. I’m still bombarded day and night. I have tons of bats and dragonflies. I bath in lemon soap. The last thing I’m trying is advise from someone to take b1 vitamins. I’m holding it works. They bite me right through my cloths even though they are loose.

[@killtorres]

I read an article about our mosquito problem this season. Apparently when the eggs are laid, they can wait dormant for 3 years until they get the water they need to hatch.

[@permiebird937]

I keep a lot of small ponds in my yard, plus several duck pools. In my small ponds that my ducks cannot access, I cover the water surface with floating plants, like Azolla and Duckweed. The small floating plants hide the water surface, which the reflection of light on water at night attracts mosquitos, but the plants hide the pond from them. The floating plants make the pond unsuitable for the larva, and mosquitos avoid it.

[@LadyElsena]

I live next to a cemetery and oh my goodness the amount of standing water in the flower vases and depressions breed a crazy amount of mosquitoes. And the city regularly poisons the neighborhood to treat the mosquitoes but its crazy.

[@tgardenchicken1780]

Here in Minnesota, we consider mosquitoes our 2nd 'state bird'. However, they are not a protected species. Great video, thanks for the comments especially about the impacts of insecticides that we may not think about. I love seeing the dragon/damselflies in my garden.

[@tanyadraper7588]

You can make a mosquitoe repellent with beauty berry leaves

[@KMouseff]

I've had great success this year with mosquito control - no bites at all! I'm using citronella soap, making sure to empty all standing water or putting mosquito dunks in water I need to keep around, such as the water I've put out for the critters during our droughty heat wave, and have been working for the past three years to provide a ton of habitat for many of their predators. I also have learned to do my gardening earlier in the day rather than at dusk when mosquitos seem to be at their hungriest.

[@shellieh685]

Science has proven that one of the main things that attract mosquitos to you is your CO2 exhaled (greater with pregnant people too), then body heat, blood type (type O is especially yummy to them), and possibly scents from components of your sweat like lactic acid, and components in your blood. Some of the natural stuff may help, and the oil definitely works but is messy, fountains work, but then you have to deal with electricity and failing pumps. However, I have only heard of the color black being an attractant for bee stings related to bears, not mosquitos. Mosquitos are generally attracted to light. Bees will also be more compelled to sting if you eat bananas around them as it smells like the hormone they release when they sting. However, I am not a mosquito expert. Hope this helps. God bless!

[@floranlehmann7149]

Thank you for posting this video. We must think of the damage that we can cause to our plant

[@tmzumba]

I love bats. I hadn't thought of them for mosquito control

[@tamaramitchell9601]

I just moved to Mexico near a very large lake. Mosquitoes are out in hoardes every evening, but there are a lot of bats and swallows, which helps. I had no idea about wearing dark colors! I will be more aware of that. It is amazing how tiny an opening they can get through to get into the house and they KNOW I'm in here; even a small break in the screen lets them in. I have always been a magnet for them. Dengue is reported here, so I really am trying to avoid bites! Also, I looked up what to use to quell the itch because I was having problems sleeping. Ice packs work wonders to numb the itching!!

[@catherinegordon9529]

Is creating a mini goldfish pond a solution to keep the mosquito population down? Here in SC, I’ve seen folks put goldfish in their livestock troughs and rain barrels… but what about making a mini pond for this purpose? Am I just asking for more mosquitos?

[@kastenolsen9577]

Love your wind chime. Where did you get it. I could sit on your porch for hours.

[@angelfromtheotherside1439]

Wow was this video needed…..

[@jabbaraedwards8395]

Long sleeves and pants of light cotton or linen. I take folic acid, vitamin b12 and b6, I rarely get bites

[@victoriajohnson3034]

Planting several eucalyptus plants would probably deter them.