06/26/2026
“The Whole-Yard Method
The most effective approach to controlling mosquitoes without fogging treats your yard as a system:
🌱 STEP 1
Support a healthy habitat.
Plant native and skip sprays to create a healthy yard that supports dragonflies, birds, and bats that eat mosquitoes.
🪣 STEP 2
Make a Mosquito Bucket.
Target larvae in a controlled spot before they become biting adults.
💧 STEP 3
Dump standing water.
Empty containers, gutters, and saucers, anywhere stagnant water collects.
🦟 STEP 4
Treat standing water you can't dump.
Use mosquito dunks in birdbaths, rain barrels, and ponds.
🪭 STEP 5
Protect yourself when needed.
Use screens, fans, repellents, and protective clothing to help reduce bites.
🏘️ STEP 6
Get your neighbors involved.
Mosquito management works best when the whole community participates.
Download the print and share flyer in first 💬 below 👇🏽
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🪣 How the bucket works
Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water. A mosquito bucket attracts them as a place to reproduce.
A mosquito dunk (Bti) prevents larvae from developing into adult mosquitoes, interrupting the life cycle and reducing mosquito populations over time.
What you'll need
A bucket (5-gallon or similar)
Water
Organic material (leaves, grass clippings, or similar)
A mosquito dunk (Bti)
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Set up your bucket
🪣 Step 1 - Decorate (Optional)
black mosquito bucket with sticker in a shade garden
Decorate your bucket or use our ready-made sticker
Step 2 - Add Water
Fill the bucket about two-thirds full with water.
Step 3 - Add Organic Matter
Add a small handful of dead leaves or grass clippings.�As the water sits, it will begin to break down and become more attractive to mosquitoes looking for a place to lay eggs.
Step 4 - Add Your Dunk
Break up your mosquito dunk and drop approximately one-quarter of the dunk into your bucket.
Step 5 - Add Cover Or Stick
A. Lid with large holes
B. Example of a mosquito bucket that has wire mesh on top and a rock weight holding it down.
Wire mesh with weight
C. Example of a mosquito bucket with wire mesh cover held by zip ties
Wire mesh with zip ties
D. Example of a rescue stick inside of a red mosquito bucket
"Rescue stick" option
Add a lid with plenty of large holes drilled or wire secured with a rock or zip ties. Alternatively, (if you don't have pets or small kids), place a stick in the bucket so it leans out above the rim. This gives small animals an escape route if they fall in.
Step 6 - Place Your Bucket
Choose a shaded, low-traffic area where mosquitoes are likely to gather.�Corners of your yard or along property lines often work well.�(additional tips below)
Step 7 - Show It Off
Post your bucket on social media using the hashtag .
Maintenance
Check water levels regularly.
Replace the mosquito dunk about once a month.
Without maintenance, buckets can become breeding sites instead of preventing them.
Additional best practices
Dump standing water regularly—birdbaths, containers, and anything that collects rain are prime mosquito breeding spots.
Plant native to attract birds, bats, and dragonflies, natural mosquito predators.
Use repellents for personal protection rather than fogging your whole yard.
These steps, paired with mosquito buckets, can reduce mosquitoes while avoiding broader harm.
TRACK YOUR IMPACT
Make Your Bucket Count
You’re reducing mosquitoes without fogging—helping protect bees, butterflies, and fireflies in your yard
Now add your bucket to the Homegrown National Park Biodiversity Map so your impact is counted alongside thousands of others.
First 💬 below 👇🏽 for printable instructions, Frequently Asked Questions, and more resources.
Photo Participants display mosquito buckets as part of a community-driven effort to reduce mosquito populations at the source.
Credit: Barrington NJ Green Team / Homegrown National Park” ~ Homegrown National Park website
