Mosquitoes are more than pesky, bloodsucking pests. They’re also voracious aquatic larvae that can not only wreak havoc on your personal summer plans – but also the local ecosystem. In fact, mosquitoes are one of the most prolific and harmful types of aquatic insect larvae in the world right now. If you’re wondering how to kill mosquito larvae in water good news! You don’t have to worry about gators snapping them up for dinner or frogs living a double-lid life to avoid them. Here are some simple tips on how to kill mosquito larvae in water at home. With warmer temperatures and consistent rain comes an increase in the number of mosquitoes that can carry diseases like Zika, West Nile, and yellow fever. And while keeping your backyard tidy helps reduce their population, understanding how to kill mosquito larvae in water is another great way to keep these buggers from coming back next season.
How To Kill Mosquito Larvae In Water
Use dryer sheets
Dryer sheets are a great way to kill mosquito larvae in water. They don’t pollute the water and have no harmful chemicals, so they’re great for keeping in your pocket to use in any water source. You can also use a net to cover a smaller source of water if you want to cover it all at once. Dryer sheets work by releasing the perfume found in the sheets. Mosquito larvae are drawn to the scent of the fabric softener, which leads them to consuming the sheets. Doing this regularly will help keep the water from becoming a mosquito-infested breeding ground. Keep in mind that this method only works if the water is shallow enough that the larvae can reach the dryer sheets.
Drain standing water
One of the best ways to kill mosquito larvae in water is to simply drain standing water. This includes places like puddles in your yard, outdoor ponds, and even water collecting in trashcans. Anything that isn’t flowing water (like creeks and streams) is likely to have mosquito larvae in it. They thrive in any water that backs up and doesn’t flow. This can be more than just a nuisance if you’re in an area with lots of mosquitoes. It can also be a health hazard. Standing water can become contaminated by bacteria and parasites like e Coli and giardia. It can also be a breeding ground for other insects like ticks and fleas. Make sure to check for mosquitoes every time you try to drain standing water. You might have an adult mosquito to contend with if you don’t scoop them out of the water.
Add vinegar to water
Another great way to kill mosquito larvae in water is with vinegar. You can use a splash of vinegar to kill mosquito larvae in small puddles or even a larger tub of water. It’s best if you use white vinegar because it won’t leave any colour behind like other vinegars. The acidity of the vinegar kills larvae by dissolving their exoskeletons. You might want to consider using a splash bottle so that you can easily move the vinegar to different areas where water is collecting. Adding vinegar to water can take several days to kill all the larva. You’ll need to check the water to make sure the larvae are gone. As an added benefit, the vinegar will also help cut down on odours in the water.
Use boric acid
Boric acid is a common way to kill mosquito larvae in water. It’s effective for killing mosquito larvae in shallow puddles and larger bodies of water. It’s similar to the effect of adding vinegar to water, but with a few key differences. While vinegar can take several days to kill the mosquito larvae, boric acid kills them almost instantly. Additionally, the boric acid powder won’t leave any colour behind in the water. You can scoop it up once the larvae are gone and it won’t leave a trace behind. Boric acid works by creating a toxic environment for the larvae. It’s not harmful to mammals, but it’s very toxic to insects. This makes it a great choice for killing mosquito larvae in water.
Install fish
Fish are an easy and effective way to kill mosquito larvae in water. They’re great to use in a pond or in a larger body of water that has mosquito larvae in it. They thrive in a variety of water temperatures, so they can live in most outdoor water sources. The best fish for killing mosquito larvae are goldfish, koi, or mosquito fish. You can purchase them at a pet store or online. They are easy to install and require no maintenance. Once they’re in the water, they’ll feed on the mosquito larvae, keeping the water clear. As an added benefit, they’re great for controlling mosquitoes if you live near a body of water with fish in it. The fish are natural predators of mosquitoes and kill them as they feed.
Install insecticidal soap
Insecticidal soap can be a great way to kill mosquito larvae in water. It’s an easy, non-toxic way to help keep your yard clear of mosquitoes. You can install a soap pump in a large tub of water, or add the soap directly to smaller puddles. You’ll need to check daily to make sure the larvae are gone. You can also do a test in a small area to see how long it takes to kill the larvae. Be mindful that the soap will take 24-48 hours to kill the larvae. Insecticidal soap works by stopping the larvae from being able to breathe. The soap has a similar effect to vinegar, but it takes longer to kill them. It’s not harmful to people and animals, but it can cause skin irritation if you have prolonged exposure to the soap.
Install mosquito dunks
Mosquito dunks are another option for killing mosquito larvae in water. They’re easy to use and don’t leave any harmful effects in the water. You’ll just need to drop the dunk into the water and let it do its work. These are best suited for smaller bodies of water like ponds and puddles. They will last for up to 30 days, depending on the water temperature. The dunk contains granules of bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI). It’s a common bacterium that mosquitoes consume when they feed. Once ingested, it causes the larva to die. It’s important not to disturb the water once you’ve installed the mosquito dunks. The larvae will feed on the bacteria, but any stirring of the water will cause them to die before they can mature.
Why Are There So Many Mosquito Larvae?
1. Mosquito larvae are hungry
Mosquitoes need to eat to live. They can’t survive on their own, so they have to eat every day. If a larva is left without food for a few days, it will die of starvation.
2. Mosquito larvae are mama’s little ones
Mosquito larvae don’t have their own minds or personalities—they’re just part of the larger group of larva that came out of the egg before them. The larva will live and feed off other mosquito larvae until it reaches a certain size and time period that makes it mature enough to become an adult mosquito. This process takes about two months from when the eggs hatch until they become adults, depending on their species and temperature requirements.
3. Mosquito larvae are born in water bodies like lakes and ponds, but can also survive in standing water like buckets and rain gutters that collect rainfall in your yard or driveway.
If you see water collecting in your yard or driveway during heavy rainfall, there is probably mosquito larvae present in the water near where you see it collecting (or there won’t be any mosquitoes). The larva will hatch as soon as they come into contact with water (so if you see them hatching, there must be water). You may also see mosquitoes around your home when this happens because they breed while they wait for rainwater to accumulate so they can get enough to eat and grow.
4. Mosquito larvae are found in stagnant, standing water more often than you think.
Mosquito larvae won’t all be in standing water at once, but they can be found in any water body that has been sitting for a long time. If the water is stagnant, it will probably contain mosquito larvae. If there is a lot of rain and the water level drops, you may see larva present in standing water as well (especially if they have been hatching there).
Conclusion
Mosquito larvae are voracious aquatic pests that wreak havoc on your personal summer plans and the local ecosystem. Fortunately, you can kill mosquito larvae in water by adding Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or fungi, using a mosquito dunks, or using a Larva-scrambler. You can also repel adult mosquitoes by adding water with a few peels of citrus fruits, a small amount of aromatic herbs, or water with natural oils like cedar oil or peppermint oil.
