06/18/2026
A Safer Way to Kill Some of Those Mosquitos
It’s that time of year again, when the slight drop of temperatures in the evening is balanced with the likely presence of mosquitos.
The number one thing you can do to minimize the local mosquito population is to reduce or eliminate any standing water. Even in the midst of the current drought conditions, little things like birdbaths with standing water can be the perfect spot for mosquito eggs.
The average female mosquito can lay thousands of eggs over a lifetime, in batches that often range from dozens to hundreds.
One way you can impact the cycle of mosquito production is a “mosquito bucket.” Details about these homemade projects recommended by the nonprofit Homegrown National Park web site were recently highlighted in a Town Parks & Rec newsletter.
We are summarizing the information for our readers.
Needed Supplies
5-gallon bucket
Either a lid, with 20-30 half-inch holes drilled into the top
Or wire mesh, recommend quarter-inch
Zip ties if you are using wire mesh vs. a lid
Water
Grass clippings, leaves, etc.
Mosquito dunk
Available at Ace Hardware, Lowe’s, Amazon, etc.
Steps to build your mosquito bucket
If using a lid, drill 20-30 large holes in the top
Recommend at least 1/4” holes
If using a wire mesh top, drill four holes at the top edge of the bucket, these are where you will use the zip ties to hold the wire mesh on the bucket
(Optional) Decorate your bucket – get creative or print this free sign
Add water, roughly two-thirds full
Add the organic material (grass clippings, leaves, etc.) It will break down and draw in more mosquitoes.
Place one quarter of the doughnut shaped mosquito dunk in the water. You will need to add a new piece of dunk once a month.
Place a cover or “rescue stick”
If the bucket(s) will be placed where pets or children could access, use a cover. The cover can either be the bucket lid with 20-30 quarter inch holes drilled in it, or you can use a piece of wire mesh and secure it in place with zip ties or a rock.
If there are no small children or pets, you can leave the bucket open. However, if you opt for this, you should add a “rescue stick” to let small animals escape.
Place your bucket in a shaded, low traffic area where mosquitoes might gather. Use multiple buckets for larger spaces.
Show off your bucket. The Homegrown National Park website has a “Mosquito Bucket Challenge.”
The website also highlights the adverse effects, and lack of efficacy, of mosquito fogging. A number of studies note that while foggers can have limited success in killing mosquitoes, they also kill pollinators, butterflies, bees, ladybugs, and other insects. The loss of these insects can have longer term impacts up the natural food chain.
