Episode Details

Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, the show about anything and everything connected with nature.

In this encore episode of The Backyard Naturalist podcast, Debbie and Lori dive into the world of mosquitoes and share practical tips for controlling these pesky insects. Did you know that mosquitoes are more attracted to people with type O blood, high metabolism, and those wearing dark colors? Tune in to learn more fascinating facts about mosquito attraction and the risks they pose to pets and wildlife, such as heartworm in dogs and West Nile virus in birds.

Discover effective methods to reduce mosquito populations in your yard, from eliminating standing water to attracting natural predators like bluebirds and dragonflies. Debbie and Lori also highlight the benefits of using native plants and caution against commercial mosquito sprays, which can harm beneficial insects and disrupt the food supply for birds.

The episode's highlight is the introduction of the innovative "bucket of doom" method by Doug Tallamy. This environmentally-friendly approach involves creating a mosquito breeding habitat using a bucket of water with organic matter and mosquito dunks containing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a naturally occurring bacteria that targets mosquito larvae without harming other insects or wildlife.

Debbie and Lori encourage listeners to try this method and share their feedback. Join us in exploring ways to control mosquitoes responsibly, ensuring a balanced ecosystem while keeping your backyard enjoyable for everyone.

If you have ideas for topics that you'd like us to pursue, send us a message either on our Facebook page or our website. We would really like to hear from you.