Mosquito dunks are used to keep mosquito larvae from populating fountains, animal troughs, fish ponds, and other small bodies of water. The product consists of a dry pellet containing a type of bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies isrealensis. This beneficial bacteria infects and kills the larvae of flying insects, including mosquitoes, fruit flies, and fungus gnats.
I have all these little black flies coming out of my soil. They look like fruit flies! What the heck?
Ah yes, you've got fungus gnats. Don't worry, mosquito dunks will kill their larvae too!
Fungus gnats are a fruit fly–sized insect pest that primarily affects indoor houseplants. Attracted to the moisture of potting soil, adult gnats lay their eggs (up to about 200) on organic matter near the soil surface. After about three days, the eggs hatch into larvae, which burrow into the soil to feed on fungi and decaying plant material. Two weeks after that, adult gnats emerge from the soil to repeat the process. Adults live for about one week.
Fungus gnats are completely harmless to humans, since they can’t bite and don’t spread diseases. They can be a problem for houseplants, however, when their population explodes and their larvae starts to feed on plants’ roots. Fungus gnats may also spread Pythium, a group of plant pathogens that causes “damping off” in seedlings.
To use mosquito dunks for fungus gnats:
Fill up a gallon jug (or watering can) with clean water and toss in a mosquito dunk. It’s a good idea to break up the dunk a bit before placing it in the water, or you can wait for it to soften before breaking it apart. Let the dunk soak in the water for as long as possible (at least overnight), then remove it from the water (the dunk can be reused) and use this water for fungus gnat–infested plants. The bacteria will have leeched into the water and will now infect and kill any larvae that come into contact with it in the soil. Repeat this process every time you water your plants for at least a few months.
Mosquito larvae?! In MY reservoir?
It's more likely than you think.
You need Mosquito Dunks. This product kills mosquito larvae for 30 days! Mosquito Dunks have been used by professionals for years and have proven their value in destroying mosquitoes – by killing the larvae before they mature into biting adults. Available in THREE convenient sizes (6-pack shown). Made with Bt-israelensis (Bt-i), a highly specific biological pesticide, this product represents a major breakthrough for people and the environment when compared with the traditional toxic chemical approach to mosquito control. Will NOT harm people, pets, wildlife or fish, but will kill mosquito larvae... dead.
Mosquitos in Alberta:
- Carry West Nile Virus
- Can cause heartworms in dogs
- Scratching mosquito bites can lead to skin infections and scarring
- There are over 80 species of mosquitos in Canada - many of which live here.
- According to Dr. Deena Hinshaw, mosquitos do not carry COVID-19.
From myhealth.alberta.ca:
"Mosquitoes carry disease in some parts of the world. They are carriers of the West Nile virus and may transmit the virus to humans and animals. West Nile virus causes an infection that can lead to inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) or the tissues surrounding it and the spinal cord (meningitis). Mosquitoes in Africa as well as other parts of the world may carry malaria or yellow fever. Mosquitoes do not carry the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)."
