Depending on the weather, mosquito season in Maryland is from April through October. If you want to control mosquitoes in your yard, there is a better way than fogging which kills wildlife and harms pets and children. Fogging does not stop mosquitoes at their source. Instead, try the low-tech Mosquito Bucket Challenge designed by Professor Doug Tallamy, co-founder of the Homegrown National Park movement.
The bucket draws in mosquitoes already nearby (not from far away), then stops the next generation before it hatches. It works because of Bti, a natural bacterium that targets mosquito larvae but doesn't harm biodiversity like bees, birds, or butterflies.
Fill & Bait Fill a 2–5-gal bucket 2/3 with water and add a handful of leaves or grass.
Break the wildlife-friendly & kid-safe Mosquito Dunk, which is formulated to release effective levels of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI) for a period of 30 days or more, into 4 parts and add to the ¼ to the bucket. Replace dunk monthly. Approximately one-quarter of a dunk is right for a 5-gallon bucket.
Add wire mesh or a lid with holes to keep kids and pets out, or place a stick inside so small animals can climb out.
Label your bucket/s and place buckets in shady spots around your yard. Add a sticker or a sign to let neighbors know what is in the bucket.
