How To Kill Mosquito Larvae. Of all the insects in the world, we can probably say that there are a few that are more hated than mosquitoes.
They’ve figured themselves out to be one of the deadliest parasites, and they’re everywhere. We don’t know how we can avoid their bites anymore, but what we do know is how to get rid of them for good.
Mosquitoes breed fast, laying up to 500 eggs throughout their lifetime. Hatching takes about 2 weeks. In only a month’s time, your birdbath may fill up with hundreds of mosquitoes.
You can control mosquito larvae in your pond easily, and with items you have to lie around the house. Here are some easy ways to kill mosquito larvae that you can share with others who may be experiencing problems with these critters as well.
How To Kill Mosquito Larvae
Dish soap from your local supermarket can be used effectively as an insecticide. A little bit added to a full liter of water will kill mosquito larvae almost instantly.
Similarly, it’s possible to use oils like olive and sunflower oil to get rid of the problem at the source by allowing them to sit for at least a day in stagnant water.
We discuss some tips for killing mosquito larvae here.
1. Remove The Water
This is perhaps the easiest way to get rid of mosquito larvae, but it is often not possible of course if you are dealing with larger or harder-to-reach bodies of water.
Mosquito larvae won’t survive in dry conditions outside of the water. While they won’t drown on land like fish, they also don’t have any way to find food.
They either starve, get eaten by an animal, or let their skin dry out and die. Pupae usually don’t survive without water either, but since they also don’t feed they occasionally pull through and emerge anyway.
2. Using A Larvicide
Even though it is quick and fairly easy, dumping out standing water is not always the best solution.
Some places cannot keep up with emptying every single container of standing water every day, let alone exterminating any larvae in them.
A new chemical called larvicide allows us to keep our fish ponds clean. At least, that’s what it appears to be. Humans cannot drink the larvicides, but fish can, so they’re great for outdoor ponds or fish tanks where you have a freshwater supply already.
You essentially have to drop these little blue tablets into each pond or koi habitation area and after about 30 days all of the mosquitoes will be eradicated.
3. Use Soap
The amount of toxicity in dish soap kills mosquitoes and all forms of mosquito larvae. Also another way to get rid of mosquitoes is through the use of special soaps that contain insecticides.
However, these soaps are usually sold at hardware stores and the best way to use them is by diluting them with water before applying them.
No matter which brand of soap you use, make absolutely sure not to use these products in any environment that supports an ecosystem like a pond or another area where critters may gather.
4. Use Chlorine Bleach
Chlorine will certainly kill mosquito larvae but not the best way because it’s also toxic to humans and other organisms.
Though ineffective for removing adult mosquitoes from a private water reservoir, it is often considered an effective means of destroying any mosquito eggs the treatment is added to.
However, keep in mind that bleach will not be an appropriate solution for bodies of water like ponds or chlorinated swimming pools that either serve human and animal life together or could potentially have aquatic plants growing within them.
5. Use Cinnamon Oil
If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly way to kill mosquito larvae, cinnamon oil is a solid choice. 1 teaspoon of cinnamon oil per quart of water should do the trick.
The oil itself doesn’t have any negative effects on humans or animals, but you definitely need to make sure not to use it for drinking water!
The mix will also have a strong taste if your desired percentage is 15% and above, so we don’t recommend putting it in your drinking water.
Research has found that using cinnamon oil will repel adult mosquitoes. Use just a drop or two per day by sprinkling it onto your outdoor plants and you’ll enjoy repelling both larvae and adult mosquitoes without causing harm to the environment.
6. Use Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is an effective way of eliminating mosquito larvae and it’s used in the same way as cinnamon oil. It needs to be added at a ratio of 15% to 85% water, so using less or more won’t have any effect.
As with cinnamon oil, apple cider vinegar will not work immediately it takes about 18 hours for it to be effective. It’s best not to add it as a preventative measure and should be applied only once an infestation has been established.
Unlike cinnamon oil, apple cider vinegar is safe and even beneficial for humans. This makes it more versatile in terms of how it can be used, such as to disinfect wounds while out camping, etc.
7. Mosquito Dunks and Bti
Mosquito Dunk is a brand name of Summit Chemical Company, which manufactures products that slowly release a bacterium called Bti to prevent larvae from surviving in water.
They also make fast-acting Mosquito Bits to kill mosquito larvae that are already there. This is one of the safest and most reliable ways to deal with young mosquitos because Bti has no adverse effects on other animals or the environment, unlike pesticides.
8. Use Bacteria
Mosquito dunk, which can only be purchased through Summit Chemical Company, is an excellent way to eliminate mosquitoes.
Unlike bar soap or a loofah, mosquito dunks are too large for regular households, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use them creatively.
Mosquito dunks are large doughnut-shaped rings containing Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis. Bacteria in standing water is harmless to animals but deadly to mosquito larvae.
Depending on usage, this bacteria will last for about a month. Some might be hesitant about using insecticides in their backyards but we want everybody to know that the bti found in mosquitoes’ dunks has no harmful effects whatsoever on humans or other animals.
Instead of getting eaten alive outside while trying to enjoy your beautiful spring weather make sure you’re stocked up with plenty of mosquito dunks.
How To Kill Mosquito Larvae
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