Mosquito Larvae in Water – 5 Tips for Birdbath Owners

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Mosquito Larvae in Bird Bath Water And How To Eliminate It

Mosquito larvae in water is one of the most common problems bird bath owners must deal with. They are not only annoying, they can also carry diseases that are harmful or even deadly to humans, including Zika and the West Nile Virus. And mosquitoes don’t need large bodies of water to breed. Even an ounce of water can be enough. That`s why preventing the breeding and growth of mosquito larvae in bird bath water is so important when you own one. Here are some effective ways to prevent birdbaths from becoming breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

1. Keep Bird Bath Water Moving

Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water and tend to avoid flowing rivers and other moving bodies of water. So one of the simplest and most effective ways of keeping mosquitoes out of your bird bath is to keep the water flowing. You can keep bird bath water moving by using a bird bath pump. A wide variety of bird bath pumps are available on the market today, including battery operated, solar or electric. For best results, we recommend a battery back up if you buy a solar model. This way, the pump will continue working even if there is no sun. If you go for an electric model, it will cost only a few cents per day to run.

You can also use garden misters such as these to make sure the water in your bird bath does not become stagnant.

No matter which type of bird bath pump you go for, you should make sure to always keep it clean. This way, you will keep the pump in good working order, and will ensure ensure the health and safety of people and wildlife.

Clean the pump by spraying it down with a hose, or by cleaning it with a solution of highly-diluted bleach in water. Be sure to rinse the pump thoroughly to eliminate any bleach residue after cleaning.

You should also make sure to change bird bath water on a daily basis to prevent the water from becoming stagnant;.

You can buy bird bath pumps on Amazon here.

2. Use Mosquito Bits

Mosquito bits are small pellets that contain the Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) bacteria. Discovered in Israel, this bacteria is commonly found in the soil and is lethal for mosquito larvae in water, but is completely non-toxic to humans and wildlife. People have used this helpful bacteria to control mosquitoes for decades. Use it, and you will never have to worry about doing any harm to pets or people. You can put them in bird baths, as well as any areas where water collects. Once ingested by mosquito larvae, they poison the larvae`s stomach.

How To Use Mosquito Bits and Mosquito Dunks

It only takes a few hours for the larvae to die. One teaspoon for every 25 square feet of standing water is enough to do the job. Simply sprinkle the bits on the surface of the water to completely cover it and you will kill all the mosquito larvae. Bear in mind that this solution will not work on adult mosquitoes and is effective in standing water. In this way, you will be able to kill thousands of mosquitoes before they are even born.

Mosquito dunks contain the same helpful bacteria as mosquito bits. Whereas people generally use mosquito bits for a fast solution, mosquito dunks are equally as effective and last for a longer period of time. Use one mosquito dunk per 100 square feet of surface water. Each dunk will last for about 30 days. Also, be sure to begin using mosquito bits or dunks as soon as the bird bath season begins in your area.

Order mosquito bits on Amazon here:

3. Use Bleach To Kill Mosquito Larvae in Water

Using a solution of 1 part bleach and 9 parts water is one of the recommended methods of cleaning birdbaths. Be careful, though, as bleach is harmful to humans and wildlife. It is recommended that if you use bleach to kill mosquito larvae in water, that you rinse your bird bath thoroughly after doing so. As always, hose the bird bath down with fresh, high-pressure water to ensure that no bleach residue is left behind. Also note that while a small quantity of bleach will kill mosquito larvae, you should not use it to kill full-grown mosquitoes.

4. Use Natural Solutions To Kill Mosquito Larvae in Water

No need to use something as toxic as bleach to kill mosquito larvae in water. There are natural ways to solve a mosquito problem, too. For example, you can use a solution of cinnamon oil and water containing one tea spoon of cinnamon oil per gallon of water. A thin layer of oil on the surface of the water will kill all the larvae. You can also use other types of vegetable oils for this purpose.

Apple cider vinegar, although less potent, is another popular method. Use a ratio of 15% apple cider vinegar to 85% water, and give the solution about 18 hours to work. Apple cider vinegar is completely environmentally safe and is often used as a mosquito repellent.

5. Keep Birdbaths Debris Free

Rotting leaves and other organic material in standing water can create the perfect breeding place for mosquitoes, offering the larvae both food and shelter. This is why you should never place your bird bath directly under trees or bushes. In addition, be sure to drain your bird bath regularly, clear out all the debris and organic material, and re-fill your bird bath with fresh, clean water. It is ideal if this is done on a daily basis. Another good practice is to regularly hose down your bird bath to get rid of debris.

To learn more about how to clean a cement bird bath and keep it debris free, please check out this article.

Mosquito Dunks on Amazon: