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DIY Mosquito Dunk? Is there a safe way to keep mosquito larve from growing in standing water under my house plant? Answered

I'm hoping the member geniuses can give me a method of making a home made mosquito dunk, or suggest safe additives that will prevent mosquito larvae from utilizing the standing water surrounding my water-loving taro plant as a nursery. Thank you for your brain power and suggestions.

Tags:insectsuppressant

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Kiteman

Best Answer 10 years ago

Mosquito larvae breath through their tails, piercing the surface. Add a few drops of oil - vegetable oil, mineral oil, engine oil - and you seal the larvae off from the air.

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ivyplantKiteman

Answer 10 years ago

Thank you, Kiteman! I just knew there had to be a simple inexpensive solution to my itchy, annoying problem. It may not seem like much, but you have helped me enormously. Now I can once again leave the door open to give my dogs the freedom of the yard without being eaten alive. My carpets and I thank you! The Cosmos will reward you. I am forever in your debt.

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diydude

9 years ago

What makes sense to me is to put a cloth over the open tank, maybe something like that faux silk stuff. Anything with a tight knit, high thread count cloth should work well. That should keep any bug out of there.

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NobodyInParticular

10 years ago

  • In the same vein as Kiteman, you can deny them access to air by adding dish detergent (or any kind of soap). This prevents them from making use of surface tension.
  • You could also add some guppies or other hardy and quickly-reproducing fish to the water. They may not eat all the larvae, but should keep them under control.
  • Simplest of all- put a cover over the water, perhaps plastic wrap or a stocking. Mosquito larvae are extremely hard to kill. It is better to prevent the adult mosquito from entering in the first place.

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ivyplantNobodyInParticular

Answer 10 years ago

Thank you for your answer. I like the dish detergent idea as an alternative to oil. Options make one rich, greatly appreciated.

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DELETED_GuardianFox

10 years ago

Well, it's a bacterial, not a chemical pesticide. I would suggest that it might be possible to culture your own Bti, but that requires a skills-set which I do not possess. I have a vague idea on how to culture said bacteria, but I have no clue how to do it safely and effectively. Adding mosquito-eating fish is a good solution too... but not AS effective.