Unprecedented Pest Eradicator Exerts Various Functions and Eliminates Bothersome Insects Exceptionally Well
In the quest to maintain a pest-free home and garden, mosquito dunks and bits have emerged as effective solutions for controlling fungus gnats and mosquitoes. These larvicidal products, which are safe for humans, pets, fish, and birds, are a popular choice among gardeners and homeowners.
Mosquito dunks and bits, available for purchase on Amazon, are a powerful weapon against fungus gnats, particularly those that infest houseplant soil. Overwatered houseplants can create a breeding ground for these pesky insects, making them hard to control once they get going. To combat this issue, simply add a quarter of a mosquito dunk to one gallon (3.8 L) of water and let it steep for 24 hours. For mosquito bits, place 4 tablespoons of the granules in a section of old pantyhose, creating a makeshift "tea bag," and let it steep in one gallon (3.8 L) of water for 30 minutes before removing and discarding.
Indoor mosquito breeding is not a significant issue, but mosquito dunks and bits can be used indoors for fungus gnat control. If you're dealing with a fungus gnat infestation in your houseplants, let the soil dry out a bit first, then mix up a fungus gnat "tea" with mosquito dunks or bits.
Outdoors, mosquito dunks and bits can be used in various standing water locations such as drainage ditches, water gardens, birdbaths, tree holes, hollow stumps, vehicle tracks in the ground, rain barrels, rain gutters, animal stock tanks, flooded crawl spaces, and fish ponds to control mosquitoes.
The active ingredient in these products is Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), a bacterium that targets mosquito and fungus gnat larvae in water or moist soil. This makes any area with standing water or moist organic material—whether natural or manmade—where mosquitoes or fungus gnats breed a prime candidate for treatment with mosquito dunks or bits.
Each application of mosquito dunks lasts for 30 days, while mosquito bits need to be reapplied every 7-14 days for continued control. Simple, yellow sticky traps are also effective at catching adult fungus gnats and can be found on Amazon.
Kathleen Walters, who joined our platform as a Content Editor in 2024, is a passionate advocate for the use of mosquito dunks and bits. With a background in History and Park Ranger work, Kathleen has turned her front yard into a pollinator garden and is dedicated to sharing her knowledge with others.
It is important to note that, while mosquito dunks and bits are safe for humans and animals, they should be kept out of reach of children and pets to prevent accidental ingestion of the water.
References:
[1] Mosquito Dunks Product Information: https://www.summitreservoir.com/mosquito-dunks-product-information [2] Mosquito Bits Product Information: https://www.summitreservoir.com/mosquito-bits-product-information [3] Mosquito Dunks and Bits Uses: https://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/mosquito/control/larvicide/dunk.htm [5] Mosquito Bits Uses: https://www.summitreservoir.com/mosquito-bits-uses
Incorporating mosquito dunks and bits into your home-and-garden lifestyle can aid in controlling fungus gnats and mosquitoes, especially in houseplants. For instance, to tackle a fungus gnat infestation in a houseplant, mix up a fungus gnat "tea" with mosquito dunks or bits. Meanwhile, when tending to outdoor areas, mosquito dunks and bits can be used to manage mosquitoes in various standing water locations such as water gardens, birdbaths, and fish ponds.
