How To Attract DRAGONFLIES For A MOSQUITO FREE Yard And Garden!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

If you enjoyed this video, please “Like” and share to help increase its reach! Thanks for watching 😊 TIMESTAMPS for convenience: 0:00 My Backyard Mosquito Problem 1:35 Incredible Dragonfly Facts 3:24 Tip #1: Dragonfly Perches 5:18 Tip #2: Ecosystem Biodiversity 8:29 Tip #3: Maintaining The Population 12:19 Adventures With Dale

[@chanaburns3030]

So so helpful! I'm building raised beds in my first gardening adventure, and the gnats have been making me CRAZY. Mosquitoes too, of course. Love this pest control solution, but I'm curious to see if this will work for me since my climate in north NJ is pretty different from the Carolinas. Excited to try though. I've always loved dragon flies

[@mariavenner2823]

I personally like having bats around, but i love the idea of dragon flys.

[@spectator3308]

As far as dragonflies' behavior is concerned, I read several years ago - probably accounts by entomologists - that both larvae and adults can bite if they feel threatened, e.g. touched with a finger in order to be picked up, or held by their abdomen (petting is, as you show in your video, a much gentler touch) to collect; they would curl back and bite with their powerful jaws. There have also been rare cases of dragonfly females sometimes trying to lay eggs into the skin of human legs, which is akin to a sting, as the ovipositor is used to insert eggs into aquatic plants or soft damp soil, so it could puncture human skin if a confused dragonfly would mistakenly try egg-laying onto/into a human body. But the reasons for such mistakes remain unclear. Namely, dragonflies tend to mind their own business and even if a curious territorial male is checking you out because you are close to its pond, it keeps its distance and easily evades collisions.

[@highpockets359]

Thank you!!

[@spectator3308]

@thegunsngloryshow Dragonflies will prey on flies as well. As will many (song)birds. Keep your kitchen waste and eventual humanure well covered by absorbent materials, such as sawdust, garden soil and pot soil, shredded paper and cardboard, all kept within an enclosed compost bin that has its lid, sides, bottom and ventilation openings rodent-hardehed (galvanized steel wire with screen windows of 1/4" should be fine) and preferably fly-proof (additional mosquito netting or unwoven agricultural textile for covering crops or weed suppression would do the job). Set hornet/wasp traps, which contain a mixture of sweet liquids, alcoholic beverages (wine and/or beer) and vinegar (this combination does not attract honeybees) and which also catch loads of flies and male mosquito. This trap is designed as a transparent plastic vessel whose bottom part is doughnut-shaped with handles for suspending strings/wires on its sides and where a central entrance is located and has a transparent plastic dome for its cover so that the daylight always shines from above; thus trapped insects try to go up to escape, where the "invisible" ceiling stops them and wears them down, so they eventually want to drink the sweet-sour solution in the bottom "doughnut" section, but cannot hold themselves onto the smooth inner walls indefinitely and inevitably fall into the liquid and drown. When the trap is full, remove it and place it on a flat surface, exposed to schorching sunlight and when all the trapped critters are dead, throw them into the aformentioned compost bin. Hornets and wasps will only go to this trap when they are past their predatory phase (at that time, they predominantly prey on flies and other insects to feed the generations of larvae) and they get into their "loitering", sweetness-seeking phase (usually the final phase from late summer to mid-autumn, before they die at the onset of the first frost) and when conflicts with humans begin in earnest.

[@fondasarff9701]

They will communicate too. I was harvesting carrots into a water filled bucket when I discovered a lovely little red dragon fly with it's wings swamped in the water. He couldn't break the water tension. I slipped my fingers under him, scooped him out and sat him on a nearby plant continuing to harvest. Soon I heard a persistent buzzing by my left ear. I froze and slowly turned my head to see him hovering very near me. He stayed there for several seconds as my heart swelled. I said "you're welcome" and he went on his way. I'll never forget the encounter.

[@lizzieb6311]

That is amazing! I love that! Have you noticed too that when there’s one nearby they will rotate their body around to watch you as you move? They are so interesting!

[@hanginlaundry360]

So sweet! I just love them,!!!❤❤

[@jaykoblz1]

That's a really great story!

[@amyslingsby6947]

I have a similar story. I found one stuck to a petunia and it took a long time to gently get it freed. I used warm water with Dawn in it and a cotton swab. It had a smaller section of wing on one side so it was recognisable. After being freed; it stuck around for a while and then flew off. But the next day, on the other side of the house, it appeared and sat on a rose right beside me for half an hour.

[@lizzieb6311]

@@amyslingsby6947 what a lovely experience…and even better - it has stayed with you 💜💜💜

[@danielmacgibbon1589]

In northern Louisiana we had a cabin near a large lake with lots of dragonflies. Mosquito populations were indescribably low, but we would get horseflies on occasion. One day we had an aggressive horsefly that was elusive to our sprays and attempts at swatting it out of the air - until it was suddenly and unexpectedly snatched out of mid-air by a huge dragonfly! It was amazing!

[@davidgraham2673]

I know it felt great to see a pesky horse fly taken down.

[@CrescentUmbreon]

Dragonfllies are apparently the most deadly predator on the planet. They can predict and calculate the best path of interception to their target. Near 99% success rate on these beasts.

[@davidgraham2673]

@@CrescentUmbreon , And they look effortless doing it. Two flicks of their wings, and they move twenty feet almost instantly.

[@margareth1504]

Beautiful! We have a few dragonflies about from time to time and I feel privilidged to have seen one when I do.

[@injunsun]

Up in East Michigan, we had horrendous deer flies, which will follow people to bite them! At Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, they often bite camper and staff, but there is a population of blue dragonflies up there as well. Perhaps they eat most of them, as down by the Little Blue Lake, one NEVER is bitten; only deeper into the forests around. I am so happy to have found people who understand the smaller connexions within our world, where tiny predators make everyone's lives more enjoyable. Well.... everyone but for the nasty, biting insects!

[@kristinagarrett1827]

Shortly after my mom died I was in my pool feeling the weight of my grief. I noticed a dragonfly hovering over the water and I reached up gently and held my hand up. The dragonfly came and landed on my hand and looked directly at me with the cutest little smile. I greeted it and wondered at it's beauty. It started on my hand for a few moments and flew off. A moment later it returned and landed on my hand again. It was really special and sweet and brought me a few moments of comfort and amazement.

[@earthkarma7420]

I asked my mom once what animal she would come back as. She said, "A bird so that I could fly above and see everything." When I was waiting in the golf cart for the cemetery assistant to come back from call, I saw these two large black birds. These were huge! The man apologized for being distracted looking up and saying he had never seen birds like that at that size. I knew it was my mom and her biological mom watching me pick out her gravestone. I feel you had the same experience.

[@BarbaraBoix-id5zf]

Wow.., that’s sweet. Sorry about your loss and hope you’re doing well today. Thanks for sharing your story.

[@jordyhumby]

Great story! Thank You

[@user-ld5qu4jj5w]

My condolences to you. Know that she is a beautiful soul

[@BarbaraBoix-id5zf]

Yesterday Sunday June 16, 2024, I received word that my former mother in law who was better to me than my own mother had died. Even after her son and I divorced, she always treated me like she always did. I’m grateful for having the opportunity to know what motherly love was like because of her. I’m still close to my ex and I’ll always love him. I’m sorry for him and his family because Ilse was a Gift and a Blessing to everyone in her life. I’m grateful to have known her and to have been loved by her. I’ve cried more over her than I did Moma. My Moma was mean to me and took sides with the my brother who abused me for years from age (4). Ilse greeted me with a hug and kissed me on my cheek the first time I walked into her home and I wasn’t used to a mother figure showing me such affection that I was taken back a bit but in a good way. I hope you’re doing well

[@chezLynn]

Dragonflies 'scary?!' Fell asleep in the long grass next to a 'pot hole' lake in eastern Ontario, years ago, and woke up blanketed, head to foot, in dragonflies. A moment after I opened my eyes, they were already in flight, again, and I wasn't scared, but sad that they'd taken off before I could check them out. I took it as an extreme honor that they'd rested on me : )

[@joycebrewer4150]

😅My personal favorite wildlife photo is of a red dragonfly perched on a pebble,, taken from almost directly overhead of the insect.

[@JawandoOokomondo-cb7fm]

Stop smoking Crack

[@EarthKeeperSelinaMu]

Wonderful story! Thanks for sharing

[@sugarcrystal9390]

Fun fact they might have flew on you because they were attracted to the salt in your sweat

[@SweetChicagoGator]

Oh grasshopper... sweet story ! 😊

[@dontsqueakthecat]

I had a foster daughter that was Doritos for the mosquito's. I swear she was their favorite snack food. So along comes June and the Dragonflies start flying around my yard as they do every year. She was sitting out there wearing my straw cowboy hat and petting the dog one day and there were 20 Dragonflies making a killing. Literally. They were landing on the hat and the tree's around her. I dubbed her the Dragonfly queen.

[@RosalindWhittaker]

Thanks so much for sharing; I’m the same way--mosquitoes are just magnetized towards me, so I will get my husband’s straw hat and wear it the next time I go out in our yard; kudos to you and your lovely Dragonfly Queen for bringing in those great guests!❤

[@AyahuascaSage]

I was just reading an article about how humans are causing the insect population to collapse because of issues like overuse of pesticides and habitat destruction. Fostering a garden that dragonflies want to visit is so much better than dumping pesticides everywhere trying to keep mosquitoes away!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

If you are able to colonize them, you won't need much, if any pesticide. They really do a lot of the heavy lifting. Why spend time and money spraying if animals will do the work for you?

[@hoxiefam6731]

Unfortunately in Florida every county has a spraying program. It's very sad. You can actually make a report and they will come fog your neighborhood. Thankfully no one put in a report for our area this summer since I've been watching the map.

[@jacobbelfield9835]

Midwest raingarden plants that will serve as stakes or cables: Iris virginica, Iris fulva, cat tail, Juncus effusus, Joe Pye weed, hibiscus moschutos, hibiscus lasiocarpus, hibiscus, laevis. Prairie Moon Nursery and Missouri Wildflowers are great online nurseries. These plants also support multiple species of insects! Enjoy

[@MashaB-pk8hl]

There is no way the world can be fed without pesticides.

[@AyahuascaSage]

@@MashaB-pk8hl I said overuse. Nobody is forcing people to treat their lawns with pesticides, spray pesticides all over ornamental plants on their property, or fog their neighborhood with pesticides trying to target annoyances like mosquitos.

[@chapter4444]

Fun fact: Dragonflies are the most accurate hunters among all all species of insects, animals, birds, fish, reptiles ect. They have about a 98% success rate catching prey. For reference, a Lion is about 30%

[@chaoticnewtrl]

Truly making their Dragon heritage proud. Very cool fact.

[@freedomofreligion3248]

That's fascinating! Thx!

[@timothyandrewnielsen]

I now identify asna dragonfly

[@SURVIVOR-og6dl]

@@timothyandrewnielsen Yeah,we should hang out sometime

[@wej0w]

They are brutal, but combined with the fact you can pet them if you are really carefull is absolutely awesome.

[@jimriley9697]

It's ironic you put this out today, an hour ago I had a dragonfly perch on the top of my phone and I sat and observed him for awhile. Definitely one of the coolest bugs.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

They’re oddly friendly toward humans. Most insects behave like robots, to me, but dragonflies have a personality. I swear, some enjoy being petted like a dog or cat.

[@jacquelinemiles6491]

Love them

[@mikechaffee4331]

That's called "a coincidence," not irony.

[@charlottesmom]

That has to be good luck!

[@bbbanks6912]

Or, meaningful coincidence, also known as synchronicity. Depending on the person's inner state or perception at that moment.@@mikechaffee4331

[@StormyDay]

I have a wonderful dragonfly story. I was about 18 and standing outside my boyfriend’s apartment building in Northwestern Queens, NY. A few boys were tormenting a dragonfly that was on its back and couldn’t get up. I shooed them away and helped the dragonfly up by gently placing a leaf under its body and flipping it over. It immediately flew away, but to my surprise - it came back, hovered about 18” in front of only me and facing me, gently, slowly bowed to me in what could only described as a bow of sincere thanks and flew away. I will never forget that zen experience and ever since, I have always loved and had an affinity for dragonflies and treat all living things with respect. All lives are valid. ❤

[@RosalindWhittaker]

Beautiful; I love dragonflies too; bless you!❤

[@StormyDay]

@@RosalindWhittaker thank you!

[@PeaceinJESUS24]

😲🩷🩷🩷

[@sislertx]

Except squash vine borers...no creditors foe those evil things..not even a chemical that won't kill all life..lol..

[@StormyDay]

@@sislertx people like you always like to take the joy out of everything

[@chuckycheezburger3313]

My wife loves dragonflies, and since I work around bodies of water, it’s become my duty to take as many pictures of them as possible for her. Once they get used to someone being around, they’ll hold still for a nice close up. There have been a couple times that they “hung out” with me while I was working. I was replacing a water line that was buried around 5 feet deep. Whenever I would take a water break, I would sit on a pile of rocks that were in the ditch with me. On one of those breaks, I noticed a lil green dragonfly flitting down there with me. It would land and fly, land and fly. I was trying to get a pic and that’s when it landed on my hand…and stayed there as long as I didn’t move too quickly. I brought it up to within and inch of my nose and it just looked at me. (I think) Eventually I had to get back to work, but it didn’t leave the ditch for very long. Much of the time it would land on the side of the ditch or sit on my hat. But whenever I stopped, right back on my hand it would go.

[@44hawk28]

Many years ago, I was asked whether or not I wanted to do a job in South Africa. It was a private military operation. And I told them that I usually get eaten up badly by mosquitoes. I was told that about a week to 10 days before I head out, to take vitamin B2 a couple of times a day. It worked wonderfully. I rarely get bitten by mosquitoes anymore. I will either take a b complex vitamin daily or a B2 vitamin, and I don't even have to take it everyday. But my mosquito issues have pretty much abated back then, and have never returned. That is something to put into your hat for making sure that you and others in your household may have less of an issue with mosquitoes.

[@ler5299]

That's really interesting, thanks for posting. Mosquitoes see me coming a mile away.

[@brieanastraiton3665]

I'm a mosquito freaking buffet anytime I'm outside in the summer. Gonna give this a try!

[@moniquemonicat]

i can sit in a swarm of mosquitoes and the do not touch me. they hate my scent apparently. this is in the US when i live here and also in Italy where i live. Neither the American mosquitos nor the Italian mosquitos want anything to do with me. It's great for picnics, they're swarming all around but stay a few feet away from me. Science so far has not figured out why this is yet. B2 sounds promising for those who they like. Maybe it's a scent or a frequency, but some people they just don't like. They don't seem to even come to land on me. My sister gets eaten up, but my brother is like me they hate. So not sure hereditary even matters.

[@moniquemonicat]

p.s. i think it's brewer's yeast that lessens mosquito bites, and brewer's yeast has a lot of B vitamins. Not sure, there's conflicting opinions online, but sounds like for you the B vitamins and especially the B2 works.

[@ColletteC2106]

@@moniquemonicat You are very fortunate. They feast on me! Weird question, but do you smoke? Every smoker I have ever known never gets bit. 😂

[@curlinacc]

I've got an army of dragonflies around my home lately. And I love watching them zip around. Knowing that they're gobbling up the mosquitoes makes going outside a much more pleasant time.

[@curlyrooster118]

I was trout fishing in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan, and I met the most accommodating Dragon fly! It would sit on my fishing pole and attack every Fly, Wasp... whatever, keeping me bug free. In the Deepwoods I was in, this is almost considered a Mirical, that a festival should be declared and practiced with awe and joy.

[@HillbillyHen]

I am lucky enough to have dragon fly's - just never knew how helpful they were - we did have a bad issue with stink bugs and the lantern flies - i got the bright idea to raise praying mantis collected eggs from around my property and bought some off the internet - hatched them out and kept them until their 2nd shed then it was warm enough to release - i had about a total of 2500 i released on my property and around my garden - i was the only one in my area that had zero lantern flys at my property and only seen one or two stink bugs that season - they did a fantastic job - i know many dont like the praying mantis but im telling you had it not been for them i wouldnt have had my garden - both my neighbors completely lost theirs - i had a full crop - i did raise one till she was full size and then let her lose in my garden so she could live out her time free (they only live a year) and when i would work in my garden she would come get on me and sit with me while i worked - she for a bug was super sweet and boy do they have an apatite ! just some food for thought for anyone that like them they are super helpful and did i mention i used zero pesticides - didnt need any my little army got the job done

[@GeorgiaGirl100]

Beware if you have hummingbirds. Praying mantis kill hummingbirds.

[@user-roadwander]

@@GeorgiaGirl100 Extremely rare. Praying mantis’s are very beneficial to yard and garden.

[@Justpassingby204]

@@user-roadwanderfacts, it’s very uncommon. Mantids getting rid of stink bugs and laternflies is a huge positive. My pet mantis just ate a latern fly nymph today

[@thewaragainstboredom]

Upon seeing your video, I went out and bought some bamboo sticks from Lowe's. We have a pool that went a little green this summer. Naturally, mosquitoes have taken advantage of the situation. While we're trying to return the pool to its former glory, the mosquitoes have swarmed. It's Houston. I'm in a wooded swamp of a neighborhood with bayous nearby. We do have some bushes and flowered landscaping in the backyard by the pool, though. I figured that all I really had to do was buy some bamboo and see what happens. After planting the sticks, I simply went inside to grab a camera and before I was back outside to possibly take pictures of any dragons flies that I might see, we already had dragonflies landing and hunting over the pool! Thank you for this video. I want to find a way to make bamboo a permanent and decorative feature around the backyard now.

[@PetCactusA_HarmlessLittlePrick]

Plant some in your yard. A local garden center or gardening club should be able to recommend the varieties that will thrive in the area.

[@perkylittleblondeFF]

@@PetCactusA_HarmlessLittlePrick be sure to get clumping bamboo, not running varieties, unless you have acres to give over to it!

[@PetCactusA_HarmlessLittlePrick]

@@perkylittleblondeFF The running varieties would be a good gift for someone you don't like.

[@kandeeboone4702]

I have a screened in porch without a door. The Dragonflies sometimes get stuck on the porch. I have a net out there I use to take them off. I always know if I’m moving one that has been on the porch before. Because they are very smart. The first time I have to catch one it’s afraid of the net so they make me work for it. The second time I just have to put the net up next to them and they jump on and I take them back out. The first couple times that happened I was shocked. Now I’m just impressed. They are my very favorite insect

[@knorman717]

That’s awesome!

[@kimsteed9401]

Holding one finger up high as you can reach, if they trust you once they always will.They will land on your finger and watch for their dinner. A bug I truly love!!

[@barry1122]

How does a screened room without a door work?? In canada here and curious..

[@vsznry]

All I do is hose down everything. Lol They love any water holes here in SoCal. Some were nymphs & grew older & i have a strange feeling they recognize me.

[@ML-ks2lj]

Stay in cali

[@TheMillennialGardener]

A good strategy in dry summer climates is to hose down your trees at sundown. The water droplets will collect on the leaves, and the insects can drink the droplets.

[@vsznry]

stay in perpettual christian fascism.@@ML-ks2lj

[@MrsB197something]

I confess I read your comment before I watched the video, now what you said after watching it makes sense. I often think the baby squirrels that grow up in my yard recognize me too when they're adults

[@Daughter_of_the_MostHigh]

I’ve only see seen dragonflies three times in my life living in SoCal

[@gregkral4467]

one of my favourite memories is when I got a bubble gun for my boy, and tested it out one morning, so many bubbles, dragonflies came from all around checking out the bubbles, must have been like 40 of em just chasing them and checking them out. they are so cool.

[@kamoodle5]

I once saw a dragonfly take off from its perching spot only to return with a housefly in its mouth. It was astonishing to watch the dragonfly go om-nom-nom on its meal. Previously, I thought I scared it away when I got closer. There was also a time I brought in a dying dragonfly that wasn't doing much at all. I knew there was nothing I could do for it, but I wanted to keep it safe in my room until that moment came. Then I buried it in my backyard like it was my pet. I still have digital photographs of the dragonfly the day I took it in; its blue and green colors were absolutely gorgeous.

[@theshanny8]

😂 they look like mini birds sitting on mini telephone wires. I love dragon flies they are so beautiful thank you for sharing your tips. They are great ❤❤

[@spectator3308]

After 26 years of experience with garden ponds and dragonflies, I can say the following: as soon as the first pond was built, the first of those larger dragonflies arrived - even before that pond's water got stabilized for fish and plants to be introduced. And some of the dragonflies have been breeding here ever since. If you keep goldfish and feed them in moderation, they actually eat virtually all of the mosquito larvae, but can never eat all of dragonfly larvae, as these also grow to be larger - and actually prey on fish fry, the tiny fish offspring. Spring time cleaning, which is an annual necessity if such an eutrophic pond is to be kept in balance so as not to become a marsh and then a bog (and to not suffocate the fish and the larvae during the winter freeze), does somewhat disrupt the dragonfly larvae (and fish), but the larvae hide among the removed vegetation and muck and detritus thrown out with the muddy water. This, if left for a couple of hours near the pond, enables the larvae to instinctively return to the pond as it is being refilled with fresh water. So they return and still complete their lifecycle, despite the annual clean-ups. In a very small pond, however, even in the absence of fish, the larvae tend to prey upon each other if competition for food gets too tough.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That's very interesting. While the man-made pond may have some downsides and all may not survive, at the end of the day you're creating more dragonflies by giving them a habitat that would otherwise not exist, so it's definitely a big positive. Great story.

[@spectator3308]

@@TheMillennialGardener Before the manmade ponds, there were only fruit trees and a meadow growing on that plot of land that had been a vegetable garden decades prior. But a river and some brooks are relatively close and dragonflies didn't have a long way to go.

[@kokigephart111]

Unfortunately dragonflies quit work at dusk.

[@heatherbryant4197]

@@kokigephart111 sounds like the addition of bats is in order

[@greenprobe]

Thank you for this comment, I recently took over care of a large pond with koi and goldfish after the owner passed and this will be useful knowledge. It is swarming with dragonflies, I've counted nearly a dozen species. They are fascinating critters.

[@mikep490]

I found it amazingly easy to attract dragonflies. I dug a 12x20 pond (oval-oblong), with 1/3 going 4' deep, 1/3 in a "bog" with bog plants as well as floating plants. In winter 1/2 was covered by a "greenhouse" attached to foundation stones, stored when temps got up. This was a light weight "box" of corregated clear plastic and 1/2 PVC sloped to drain into the pond, with a single reflector light that came on when temps got below 40 degrees. It thrived with no pumps/aerators. I avoided other fish and used Gambusia, tiny fish (sort of like minnows) that would die back in winter and quickly populate to hundreds in summer. Plants, fish and hundreds of gallons of water balanced and thrived into an ecosystem. (Too much for some bog plants, which I did have to clear out yearly.) A year in DFs appeared. More than a dozen varieties of dragonflies appeared, more than I knew existed. This was along with various wildlife as well as 6 types of bees, water skippers, and all sorts of little critters. All this for, occasionally, topping off the water when summer heat dropped levels. The pond liner was destroyed (vandals) years ago but a few draggonflies seem to remember where G-granddad was born and return. This isn't in some remote swamp area, but in the middle of a fairly substantial city in the NW US. The fish ate any mosquitos, the plants balance waste, and the gambusia seemed to live off of algae, so water remained clearer once I dumped my filters, fountains, water pumps, and all the other costly (and proned to fail) human devices.

[@noscopeentertainment]

Would love to hear more about this. What kind of plants did you use? You mentioned 1/3 was 4’ and 1/3 was bog, what was the other 1/3? Do you think the greenhouse part of it is necessary?

[@mikep490]

@@noscopeentertainment I dug up a stump so, with the 18" of retaining blocks, it was 4' deep for an area about 5x6 feet, tapering up to about 7x18 feet. The bog was a "T" across that and about 7'x16 and 28" deep. with a lip to retain the sand. I lined it with rubber liner. A change of sprinklers allowed it to be "rained" on when watering the area so I only had to add water (evaporation) every 2 or 3 months during the summer. Filled, the bog was under 6 to 10" of water, it all making one big pond. The sandy bottomed bog was a couple feet wide x 10 feet. This gave enough depth for fish to swim away from predators. I bought bog plants and lily pads from the pond dealer but they, and many of the big fish, died when it froze over in winter. (The plants didn't like temps below 40.) That was why the portable greenhouse was added. A reflector light with a temp sensor kept the plants alive and zero ice underneath. Eventually the big fish were gobbled by cats, raccoons, and a big frog that somehow found his way there from miles away. The fish died because they liked to hide in the bog plants... so I went with Gambusia. Their numbers would drop in winter but in summer would take off. It balanced. Plants used up stuff they like, Gambusia ate algae, and it balanced for a decade, with just a simple bottom cleaning once a year. Rain water flowed off the greenhouse and into the uncovered portion of the pond. Bees, dragonflies, birds, water skippers, and all sorts of "natural" critters found their way to the tiny pond.

[@luizmaranhao4824]

Any videos about it? Thanks

[@luizmaranhao4824]

I like anything that will eat mosquitoes.😂

[@indigowarrior7842]

IKEA sleeper sofa

[@starrystarrynight6281]

I love dragonflies. Last year one flew up to me and just hovered right in front of me for several seconds. I said "hey sweetheart how are you," and it may sound weird but I felt a connection with that beautiful insect. I live in Oklahoma City and they are rarely seen around our area. Thank you for helping them!!!

[@coloraturaElise]

I talk to our dragonflies all the time...I think they are intelligent and curious!

[@Nana2KCASBO]

I LOVE it when they do this along with hummingbirds 🥰

[@PridelessChickz]

Aww that's so lovely! God bless you in the name of Jesus Christ, who is the name above all names & the only way to Heaven💖

[@thempress01]

I am definitely grateful for them. I’m in Arkansas and my garden is sitting next to a wet creek. Just a minute outside and I’m covered with mosquitoes. Now that my garden is in full bloom. Dragonflies to the rescue. There are tons of them flying overhead. As I’m typing this. They also kept my cats from wandering outside my yard. 😂

[@jujubee7351]

The ending was so cute ! I can’t believe you can pet a dragon fly! That was so cool.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

They're actually pretty friendly. As long as you're slow and gentle, they seem to enjoy it. Or, as much as an insect can enjoy something 😅

[@jadedone6900]

Who knows the possibilities of evolved intelligence after being around hundreds of millions of years and basically being left alone? 😁

[@jeffreyboyd4719]

I have always loved dragonflies. They are one of my favorites. When I was a kid, we boys would catch them if we could, and let me tell you, that if I caught a big one, it was quite capable of biting the blood out of my finger! Dragonflies are absolutely beautiful. I have many varieties in my yard here in Northeast Texas, of all different colors. One type has brown stripes on its wings and has a white body. Just beautiful, a true joy to watch. It's like you say, they are one of the best beneficials we can have.

[@gregorywellssr7857]

It's funny that you're the only one to mention it,but yes,if you catch them the wrong way they will totally bite the crap out of you.

[@JannyMaha]

I never knew they could bite. Wow. Thx

[@w1975b]

Yep, I remember catching one by the tail when I was a kid and it bit me. Of course, I didn't know any better (about injuring it by catching it that way).

[@evecampbell7744]

Also, dragonflies are absolutely beautiful. All different colors!

[@478Johnnyboy]

The dragonflies on those wires looked so funny to me it was almost like you have them trained 😂

[@patricklandis3910]

Yeah like a lightning rod….

[@jeepwran]

One of my favorite memories, watching a dragonfly as it flew up into a swarm of gnats, catching, landing and eating, catching, landing and eating.

[@missyklein1]

I hold my hand up in the air anytime I see one in my backyard and they will land on my fingers...they're so cute the way the turn their little heads when I talk to them😅

[@ginarodriguez7773]

Awwww really!!! Awesome I'll try it I just got a swarm of them this morning out of nowhere

[@kimp2678]

I live just east of the Everglades. Dragonflies love my yard. I can always tell when I have a mosquito infestation outside my screened-in patio, because I'll have 40 or 50 dragonflies around the back of my house. Great information! I will give them more perches.

[@deepwaters2334]

I recommend Blue Fortune Hyssop for attracting dragonflies. Really, all pollinators love it, and it is both native & medicinal. It's the best flower I know for gardening.

[@spearageddon3279]

That looks just like African Blue Basil which is the best pollinator attractor in my yard, always loaded with bees every day.

[@thestraightroad305]

Thanks so much!!

[@blessedhummingbird4]

I have loved Dragonflies since I was young. My husband hung out in the garden this weekend with me and helped me harvest. He mentioned that there were way too many dragonflies. I chuckled and said "we need them babe" , while one landed right in front of us. Nature is amazing. Great video as always and Dale is so cute.

[@secretshaman189]

I love channels like this because you are teaching the average person how to work in harmony with nature. Love the dragonfly stories. I didn't realize they were so smart or friendly!!

[@debrakwilliams48]

My son installed 6ft posts 4 feet apart with 4ft farm fencing. The dragonflies perch up on the posts, and 1 to 4 dragonflies perch atop the 4 ft tall wire farm fencing.on the top wire only. The fencing is around 1/2 of the yard so far, and on both sides of a long driveway. Soon after 60 posts were installed with wire, we never got bit by another mosquito. I counted 60+ dragon flies on 20 posts with farm wire along the driveway one evening at sunset. I installed a single wire for a clothes line. Several dragonflies hung out on the wire until I added clothes pins, they sat on top of them. We have never used insecticide on the yard either. Before we recently installed the 60 we have now, I was getting bit every time I went outside for 1 or 2 minutes. The mosquitoes were that bad for months.

[@dandeleona4760]

I can attest to this. I live next to a swamp and mosquitoes are so terrible, the animals won't go outside, not even the cat. The SAME DAY dragonflies hatch as adults, usually 1-2 weeks after mosquitoes do, the air is CLEANSED of mosquitoes. SAME DAY. They're so good at it, once they show up, I can leave my doors open without screens and not have a single mosquito get in the house. They really are very friendly. They let you get close and buzz around like they're playing with you. I had one hover in front of me, eye to eye. I said, "Am I ever GLAD to see YOU!" It hovered for a few seconds more and took off to go hunting. Two got caught in the garden netting chasing their prey, so the first one was a little panicked because I had to get close to twist it back out of the fibers. It calmed down and waited for me, then flew away. I came back for the second one, and it freaked out so I said, "Wait. Wait. I have an idea." and it calmed right down even tho I kept brushing its wings separating the threads. It waited a few seconds looking at me and then it took off too. Their nymphs are hideous crusty looking things and were growing in my bubbling water feature. I almost poisoned them with bleach thinking they were nuisance pests, but fortunately let them live after looking them up online.

[@deborahharvey854]

Always good to research before acting!

[@c.e.m7535]

Great story! Thanks for sharing. 😊

[@SouthernCharmaine]

The nymphs are nasty lil things! Quite gruesome too. You should read about their behavior during development. 😱

[@benjalucian1515]

@@SouthernCharmaine Vicious, not nasty. They're aggressive hunters, too.

[@kellykoeller5535]

I live in Northern Arizona and this is the first time in at least ten years that it's rained enough for dragonflies to emerge. I even rescued one that had flown into the post office. So exciting to see them again here! Thanks for the tips!

[@timothyandrewnielsen]

Hi Kelly, r u married? Looking?

[@samsmom1491]

​@@timothyandrewnielsen Dude! That's wierd and creepy.

[@timothyandrewnielsen]

@@samsmom1491 If you think that's creepy, wait until you meet me in person. Where are we meeting?

[@10thletter40]

​@@timothyandrewnielsen Oh come on man

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That's awesome! That means there must be someplace nearby maintaining the population. They must be naturalized in almost every state in the US at this point.

[@bellstewart5687]

Thank you so very much for educating us! As a little girl, I was so terrified of these creatures. How nice it is to look upon them now with appreciation 😊. Thank you again. Lady Bell

[@Critter145]

Years ago I used to ride my bike around the countryside where I used to live. At dusk, the biggest dragonflies is ever seen would come out in the hundreds and fly around. They were beautiful. Good memories.

[@TheMyssLK]

My Dad and I had just got back from running errands, due to his temporarily being in physical therapy. I was helping him get started on his walker, and I looked over and saw the most beautiful dragonfly - as if it wanted to be seen! I commented on its gorgeous colors and he hovered below our feet. Then, it flew and rested on my Dad’s walker twice. Afterwards, it flew inside my Dad’s truck and hovered around behind him. I helped him in the house, so he could get situated and left the truck door open for the dragonfly to exit. I was inside the house at least 10/15 minutes and as soon as I got back outside, the dragonfly exited the truck. I thought it’d already left, but it waited for me to get back outside so I could see it leave. I stood in my garage in amazement wondering who it was that came to visit … I believe this was truly more than a dragonfly, in our presence. I felt like we were blessed by an angelic/ancestral presence there to bless me and especially my Dad🤗💛✨

[@barry1122]

Below your feet??

[@Green.Country.Agroforestry]

I was just talking about using hummingbirds for mosquito control, but we have hordes of dragonflies as well. Installing a small wildlife pond, even if it is only 2x2x4' helps boost the critter count, adding more lizards and frogs, a gathering place for lightning bugs and dragonflies, who will still stop by for a snack even if the solitary goldfish in the pond already has the mosquito larva problem covered. That little bit of extra diversity is transformative!

[@sylviel135]

You have transformed your property into a dream backyard!! I love dragon flies , they have a spiritual reference in quite a few cultures , especially as creators of visions of power and capturing light . Good info and great video ..Thankyou

[@barry1122]

Which cultures??

[@bernadettedavid23]

The transformation from the dirt to your beautiful garden is amazing! Great job!

[@is_what_it_is]

I've had so many great experiences with Dragonflies. When a crowd of girls were screaming because one was flying close by, I put my hand up and it landed on my finger, so I put it on my nose to show that they are harmless. It flew away a few moments later. I've had them perch on my finger and fly up to catch insects, then land back on my finger to eat them. Definitely one of the coolest insects out there.

[@JeanneKinland]

We had a huge swarm of dragon flies last night right before sunset we had a storm. More than usual. I always keep fresh water out for the birds. We have tall trellis hoops that we grow things on in the garden. There are a lot of stakes to support the plants too. I learned something here. I didn't realize I was creating a habitat that attracks them. We have lots of grass hoppers, bees, & spiders.

[@nunyabisnass1141]

Yes, i absolutely adore dragonflies. They're pretty, have great character, and they can be quite friendly. In the summer our garden is full of them, and i still want to have more.

[@patkrueger7353]

I have a big circle of all different plants and trees. All wild and they fly back there alot. Plus i grow flowers all over my yard and in my vegetable garden. We use no sprays no weed killer no fertilizer. Dale is a really good looking dog. He is so cute! Thanks for this video. Plus we have a creek behind our property. We also have bats at night.

[@etxhsmom]

I love dragonflies. I always tell them they are welcome and that I'm happy to see them. They seem to respond to attention, I think they are intelligent - for insects.

[@debbiecreter2005]

I just found this on KZbin. I was just talking to my husband yesterday about the time my youngest daughter was a teenager and it was a summer afternoon when she called us outside so urgently excited and told us to look up. There we beheld the amazing sight of a very large swarm of dragon flies darting around the open sky area between several of our large tree tops, watching them for several minutes. It was such a beautiful experience and a cherished memory!

[@privatecaller1418]

When my husband died, I returned from hospital, sat on grass in yard at dawn, numb, deep grief, broken spirit, within minutes hundreds of them covered me

[@TheTruthAlwaysWins333]

They work directly under our Creator, that is why they were sent to you, to remind you that you (we) are not alone :)0 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKTVlo2Ij9iledEsi=qHq8WJXUem8Er7Oo

[@JannyMaha]

That's pretty remarkable

[@JohnMurse]

This is not the appropriate place to tell this story.

[@WaymondJr]

Makes me live nature even more ❤️ I'm sorry for your loss ...

[@ellielynn8219]

@@JohnMursethat’s not an appropriate response to someone sharing how dragonflies, which this video is about, brought her comfort in her (possibly) greatest moment of grief…

[@oldman1111]

This is the first time I've actually paid close attention to your backyard. I had a 50x90 backyard prior to my current house in Georgia and I deeply regret not starting my gardening journey back then. Your yard looks so freaking cool.

[@MsLisaLisa89]

I've noticed a ton of dragonflies in my garden this year. I figured they were beneficial but never looked it up. Not sure what's attracking them but im always happy to see them. 😊

[@sendit7777]

Another way to keep tons of unwanted insects from your yard without insecticide is to plant flowers. Specific ones repel specific pests. You can even rub some of those on your skin, (as long as you aren't allergic to them) as a personal insect repellent

[@ler5299]

Right after watching your video I went out on the porch to work on garden ideas. Recently I bought a gardenia tree staked in a pot. Sure enough there was a dragonfly hanging out on top of the stake. He sat there for a long time, then flew around, then came back to the stake! So I will be putting more out. Thanks for the tip!

[@piabongiornostoic]

One of your best videos! I agree and have had many and as my garden grows, my dragon fly population keeps growing. The first part of my garden that I planted was my “pollinator” area. Thank you for sharing your information! I always appreciate you sharing, and scientific mind. Happy gardening!

[@banjomechanic]

That’s good information! I had a mosquito problem in my backyard in Tennessee, I couldn’t hardly go outside without getting eaten alive by mosquitoes. I put out 3 bird feeders and started attracting more birds to the yard. It wasn’t an overnight result, but by the end of the summer the decrease in mosquitoes was noticeable and in subsequent summers I had virtually no problem with the mosquitoes. I’m going to add your dragonfly tips to my house in Indiana. I was unaware of their effectiveness in mosquito control. Thanks for sharing!

[@katherineb6102]

I had a chain link fence at my previous home and hundreds of dragonflies would, in the evening, line up all along the top of the fence. Loved it. Great information. Thanks

[@AnnettMcDavid]

Great video! I live in northern Maine and your knowledge has given me plenty of ideas of attract dragonflies to get rid of the mosquitos. We have plenty of those here because of the swamp land.

[@teenagardner3623]

I love this. This year, I have been incorporating flowers to encourage bees and hummingbirds. I did notice I've had more dragon flies, and I have enjoyed seeing really neat looking ones. I never thought of their big benefits. Thank you so much for sharing this knowledge.

[@mikechaffee4331]

I heard dragonflies will attack and eat hummingbirds. You need to pick a team.

[@teenagardner3623]

@@mikechaffee4331 I didn't know that. That's awful

[@mosheoin]

​@mikechaffee4331 are you sure you're not thinking of a praying mantis? There is an invasive species of praying mantis that attacks & kills hummingbirds.

[@Swansong343]

That's scary

[@klee88029]

I am so happy to have zillions of dragonflies. I sit and watch them every night. And yes, I never have mosquitoes. Luna County, New Mexico 🧓

[@tinman678]

Growing up on a Minnesota lake, dragonflies are EVERYWHERE. As a kid, they scared the hell out of me. We have alot of the smaller bright blue dragonflies that sit on your toes while you lounge in a lake, boat or in your chair on the porch. Just a really beautiful insect...

[@margaretbonanno654]

Here on the east coast in NJ we call the little blue ones Darning needles

[@Is_this_4_reelOU812]

AKA Damselflys. Small, but just as beautiful.

[@LeydenAigg]

My old CB handle, from when I was a trucker. I had no idea they're so laid back! 😍😍😍 I only knew they don't panic around people.

[@katjo71367]

I love your video!!! Thank you for this information. My son just bought a large parcel of land and he is working to move back to East Texas by July. Can't wait to share this!

[@lashawn711]

So interesting! We always have dragonflies in our backyard, but this year we had a lot and we also had less mosquitos. Now I know the dragonflies are why!

[@joshuakosar417]

Great video and I love the approach of doing your best to balance the ecosystem for critters to thrive. As someone in an extremely arid climate(Arizona), I've worked very hard to bring dragonfly's into my garden I have to point out that the wildlife pond method you mentioned isn't as difficult as you think. My pond/aquaponics setup is small(around 150 gallons) and only 12-18 months old and has already provided a breeding ground for loads of dragonflies even with the fish! Your comments about creating a balanced ecosystem for dragonflies to thrive applies to the water feature as well. There are a couple tricks to keeping your dragonfly nymphs alive and thriving(and one major one to kick-starting your dragonfly colony). The most important thing is having lots of plants in your pond, particularly edge plants that form very dense root structures like papyrus and heavy oxygen producers like hornwort. These provide net like structures that the dragonfly nymphs can easily navigate in and out of, but fish large enough to eat the nymphs can't traverse. This also provides an area for the smaller pond bugs to reproduce and thrive, providing a steady food source for the nymphs. Speaking of food sources - keeping your fish and other pond critters fed just the right amount goes a long way towards keeping them from snacking on your baby dragonflies. As for starting off your colony, the absolute best thing you can do is to harvest some nymphs, soil and the plants they like to hang around from a local body of water(make sure to check your local laws before doing so!). This provides beneficial bacteria, bugs and additional food sources for the nymphs. That they are already accustomed to as well as collecting nymphs of various different ages to keep your colony producing and thriving sustainably for a long time.

[@michaelsmith9629]

Thanks for the tips!

[@raneesmith3530]

I've had a lot of them this year here in Alabama I love seeing them didn't know how beneficial they are, thanks for the info

[@TheMillennialGardener]

They're truly one of your best friends in the garden, especially here in the South where mosquitoes are brutal.

[@teresagiddenspaul2959]

I pray your heart finds peace, I lost my mom when she was 53 yrs old 18 yrs ago. It hasn’t gotten any easier😢 Than you for your videos

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Aww, I'm sorry for your loss. That is hard. I find the best way to get over their loss is to honor their memory. My great grandfathers all had fabulous gardens where I grew up in New Jersey. Doing this in many ways feels like I'm keeping their legacy alive.

[@user-vp3ju6ft2j]

We were taking our dog to the park behind our house in the morning. This particular morning the whole park was heavily filled with dragonflies. They all so eloquently parted for us when we walked though the park. It was magical. I respect them so much. What a beautiful experience they gave us.😊🙏🏼🥰

[@marciawarden5021]

I love the dragon flies! I do have the bamboo stakes and they’re always perching on them. Thank you for helping us learn more about these beautiful creatures!

[@sweynforkbeardtraindude]

Good advice as usual! I worked on attracting pollinators this summer. Dragonflies will be the goal next summer.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Excellent! A garden humming with bees and dragonflies cannot be beat!

[@detocquevi11e]

I used to have an aquatic "umbrella plant" growing in my little pond which dragonflies perched on, and I'd watch as they repeatedly launched attacks on mosquitoes and other tiny bugs from it. Maintaining the plant (especially with goldfish who love to rummage through the mud/roots until there is nothing left, and left the water a muddy mess) was too problematic, so I removed it, and haven't had many dragonflies since. Will have to try out the bamboo stake method. Thanks!

[@fake6294]

Nice informational video about gardening in general, not just the dragon flies. But getting them to your garden sounds like a good friendship.

[@Ds74-pmrq]

I'm totally at war with the mosquitos . They were so bad last year I could not attend to my flower beds and veggie garden, so I'm trying everything . Thank you

[@michelledenise5096]

I can vouch for bamboo stakes!! I started using them last year, I set them up in sets of three and call it the Dragonfly Hotel.

[@1stAmbientGrl]

I've always admired dragonflies, but I learned a lot about them in this video! 👏👏👏👏👏👏 Yay dragonflies!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I’m glad the video was informative 😊

[@connielocke9700]

Wonder if your neighbors have noticed fewer mosquitoes?

[@dianac2596]

Fascinating information. I’ve never heard anything about dragonflies ability to help in the garden. I’d love to have more of them in my yard. Now I know how to help attract them. Thanks so much. Great video!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

They're fantastic for your yard and garden. They do a lot of good.

[@Cyber_Kriss]

I go biking every day and I see lots of them. I was really amazed on how fast they can fly and change direction... I like watching them chasing insects like mosquitoes (which I hate) with unmatched accuracy. They are really amazing.

[@TheDeadbone1961]

Great video! Dragonflies have to be my favorite insect to watch - their ability to hover, then dart around is fascinating. Crestview, FL.

[@irenehaugen6143]

Ah yes, I love dragonflies.... however 🥲I live in Northern Arizona. I only rarely spot a dragonfly, out in the forest where there are natural ponds. We don't have mosquitoes very often, again, it is too dry. I love your videos, lots of good information!

[@jackieinflorida3179]

Love your strategy! You clearly care about the environment. ❤If everyone would do what you did. We could get rid of pesticides!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

My personal belief is that the most harmful thing we can do is buy our food from the grocery store. Sure, almost none of us can grow 100% of everything we eat, but any little bit of food we grow at home makes a difference. I try not to criticize how people grow food at their home. It doesn't need to be organic or perfect, because *anything* you grow at home is better than buying the bland, flavorless stuff from the grocery stores, so I try and support anyone who is willing to make the effort.

[@Gkrissy]

Thanks for the tips in the video. There is a pond in my neighborhood and the first year I lived here there was lots of mosquitoes but it has reduced over the last few years. I use those bamboo stakes for my tomatoes. I have seen a lot more dragonflies this year.

[@BostynsCreativeSpace]

I love that you mentioned the gentleness of dragonflies and that you can pet them BUT make sure to never touch their wings 💚

[@Neidzwiedz1]

This video has been an eye opener and explains a lot about my situation! I have skeeter syndrome, yes Virgina it’s a thing, I am very allergic to mosquitoes. I have ended up in the hospital after too many bites and the bites swell up and the welts actually burst. When we moved into our current house on an acre we left half of it to grow naturally so in the summer the grass is 2 to 3 feet high and the dragonflies love it.

[@theeyesehaveit]

Interestingly - as someone else mentioned here - I too recognized a few dragonflies in my back yard this morning. Perching on the top ring of the metal cage around my bell pepper plant. What a coincidence…that your vlog about dragonflies shows up today. And to think of it, mosquitoes have not been bad this Summer. Thanks for this information. I am in central ALABAMA. Barbara.

[@judyashburn4572]

I bet you have your share of mosquitoes there!!

[@tarkusd7534]

Bats are also quite usefull when it comes to pest control especially since they start hunting in the spring where the dragonflies are still dormant and the hunting hours dont overlap during their season

[@alcopower5710]

Will the bats hunt dragonflies?

[@kevinquinn1993]

@@alcopower5710 No, the bats are nocturnal Hunters. Dragonflies are Twilight Hunters, (morning and evening.) The dragonflies have all gone Beddy-bye before the bats come out.

[@Raindropsundropgumdrop]

I have done zero research but I feel in my bones that it will be frowned upon if I take it upon myself to introduce bats/ keep them on the property😂

[@swisstroll3]

Bats are quite popular in my neighborhood. People attract them by putting up bat houses. They eat a lot of mosquitoes. Purple Martens are also popular for mosquito control, but they like dragonflies, so not a good idea if you want dragonflies.

[@imacexpress]

I really love your enthusiasm and energy. You are an honestly, real person. Also, Thanks Dale for the fun videos of you playing with toys

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. Dale sends his regards!🐕

[@orbs1062]

I've recent noticed an influx of Dragonflies in my yard lately. I'm in NW Atlanta and the mosquitos have been UNREAL this year. Despite no rain in weeks, they continue to increase. Since the dragonflies arrived, the mosquitoes have hit the road, for the most part. Interestingly, the bamboo canes brought back memories of my childhood, catching Brim at the lake. I remember being mesmerized by the dragonfly that ALWAYS perched on the tip of my bamboo fishing pole. I'm going to cut some tomorrow and put them EVERYWHERE!!! Thanks for the tips. 👍

[@bradarmstrong1656]

Thanks!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're very welcome! Thank you *so much* for your support and generosity!! I really appreciate it ❤

[@ofrecentvintage]

What a lovely idea for a gardening video. I saw one dragonfly in my garden a few weeks ago and it was beautiful.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@ofrecentvintage]

@@TheMillennialGardener Yes! Found it very helpful. Currently seeing what I can MacGyver into some makeshift perches to stash around my space!

[@collinsddc1206]

This is such a great video, ty so much! I have several flying around and was wondering how to keep them here, I live around coast of Va. Your garden area is absolutely wonderful, and of course Dale!

[@PrecisionClays]

The bamboo stakes is a great idea. Earlier this year my small back yard had 100+ Seaside Dragonlets which slaughtered the mosquitos. They reduced in numbers but are still there but the perches will be perfect! Thanks for the walk through of your back yard and garden. I have g-scale trains in the back yard (elevated though) and I'm going to put telephone poles along the line in several places to act as perches!

[@patriciatinkey2677]

Sounds like you have the Coolest backyard ever!

[@PrecisionClays]

Thanks @@patriciatinkey2677 After watching the video I decided to get some G scale telephone poles for the dragonlets to perch. They came in yesterday. Probably set some up tomorrow.

[@christaverduren690]

I'm in western NY and have been rewilding my rural suburban backyard for the past three years, going on four years this 2024 season. Last year I noticed so many dragonflies in the wild area, I'm hoping, after watching your video and following some of your tips, I might get more. We have a creek and a "flood plain" in the deep wooded area behind the house. These backwoods have made sitting out (esp in the shade) impossible from about March -We've had 90s in March all they way through December (Christmas morning was 68F) I live in a little nook near the Genesee River and Lake Ontario so the weather here can be so different than even 5 miles away from my house. I'm super excited to give all this a try. I just have wildflowers (a lot of them are "weeds" that are actually medicinal herbs I made tinctures and such from), if I did a food garden the deer would decimate it, they already do a number on everything else! They even ate my forcythis last year and deer hate forsythia, we just have a massive overpopulation of them (no hunting) and no predators other than cars or starvation and disease.

[@ShaggNasty-yk1ie]

As a wildlife photographer, dragonflies are my favourite subject. So beautiful!

[@tigrlily]

You are my garden buddy. So grateful for your content and all the straightforward tips and tricks. Thank you

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! I appreciate it!

[@StevePrimo]

Great video! Bat houses are great too, they're kind of like the "second shift" workers of bug control, they work all night eating bugs. I dug a pond in my backyard (small one, 1600 gallons) and I get dragonflies hunting it all the time. I'll even find their exoskeletons of their young when they emerge from the water and develop wings. Really neat insect.

[@carolenault9147]

Same story, small pond waterfall and many plants. They are so amazing!

[@jackparton3198]

Another amazing video thanks for sharing your experience with dragonflies keep up the fantastic work in your garden 🪴

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@melodynpepper]

Awsome video! Dragonflies are one of the coolest insects there is. We have a huge swarm that takes our yard over every year and they are amazing to watch and listen to. I sit in the middle of our lawn and they fly circles around me, chasing and catching skeetos and flies. Captivating. Very cool when they hang out with you!

[@nobbee]

I watched this and set up the stick perches in my yard, and I got my first damselfly today! A blue fronted dancer , so pretty. So excited !! Thanks. And I got my first yellow swallowtail butterfly.

[@zubrismusic]

I pet the bumble bees when they work our pollinator plants 😂 I thought I was the only person who pets the insects 🍻 your channel is great and very relevant to me in Durham, NC.

[@susantang287]

Glad you mentioned the bumble bees. I’ve been visited every spring by two which seem to like cleaning out my front porch of all the spiders and insects, then they would move around to the back deck to the budding cherry tree. This year there were three of them. The newcomer was sent packing. It was fun watching them in action.