Mosquitoes are flying pests that pierce your skin with their needlelike mouth to suck your blood. Their bite is painful and results in an irritating itchy bump that can last for days. These annoying insects can quickly turn your lawn into an unpleasant area. Thankfully, several eco-friendly mosquito killers will control these pests without polluting the environment.
Bacillus thuringiensis is a bacterial insecticide containing a naturally occurring soil bacterium. It is considered eco-friendly because it doesn’t introduce harsh and toxic chemicals into the environment. Bacillus thuringiensis strain israelensis (Bti) targets the larval stage of mosquito without harming other insects and wildlife. Bti is typically applied to ponds, pools and other areas with standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs. However, it can be applied to marsh or soggy areas in your lawn. Bti is available in various forms including slow-release floating discs, pellets and liquid. Every type of Bti has instructions that you should follow to increase its effectiveness. For example, one brand of liquid Bti suggests mixing 1 to 2 teaspoons of the bacterial insecticide with 1 gallon of water and applying it as a soil drench to your lawn.
Botanical insecticides containing citronella and pyrethrin can be used to control mosquitoes in the lawn. These insecticides are eco-friendly and break down quickly in the environment. Citronella is commonly used in mosquito-repelling candles and oil-burning torches used outdoors. These candles and torches won’t kill mosquitoes, but they can help keep them away while you enjoy your outdoor activities. Pyrethrin is another botanical insecticide that is more eco-friendly than synthetic pesticides but can still effectively control mosquitoes. One brand of liquid ready-to-use pyrethrin spray suggests applying 1 fluid ounce per 1,000 cubic feet.
Other Eco-Friendly Mosquito Killers
Attracting natural predators that feed on mosquitoes can control their numbers without pesticides. Bats and birds eat adult mosquitoes while dragonflies consume their larvae. Installing bat houses or birdhouses in your lawn will entice the predatory wildlife to the area, helping to reduce the mosquito population infesting your landscape. Another eco-friendly method for killing mosquitoes is to install an electric bug zapper, which electrocutes any insect that comes in contact with the electrified coils. Even though electric bug zappers don’t introduce toxic chemicals into the environment they can kill beneficial insects that fly into the zapper and may pose a danger to children and pets.
The best defense against annoying mosquitoes is implementing proper preventive measures. Since mosquitoes require still water to lay their eggs on, simply draining items that can hold water for several days will greatly affect the mosquito population. Items such as containers, flowerpots, plastic pools, gutters and jars can create an ideal environment for mosquitoes. In addition, you should clean birdbaths, replacing the water once a week, and keep swimming pools covered when not in use. These will discourage mosquitoes from laying their eggs on the water surface.
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