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.
To find out more about this this project, register for a special video, panel discussion and Q&A on September 23th at 7:00 p.m. at Poolesville Town Hall.
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.
