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Best Mosquito Dunks
Updated for 2019
Last update on 2019-07-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How We Found the Best Mosquito Dunks
Mosquito Dunks We Reviewed:
Best Mosquito Dunks
Mosquitoes have the infamous trait of being the most deadly organism on the planet, causing about 750,000 deaths annually worldwide. That’s nearly twice of those are at the hands other humans. Controlling them is a critical measure for both safety and health.
Fortunately, you have many options for preventing bites that can infect you with a host of serious diseases including Zika virus. Repellents such as DEET are effective but carry additional risks of toxicity. A better method targets the larvae before they hatch, thus, preventing them from becoming a problem.
Learn about the best uses for mosquito dunks and how they can help you squash your pest issue to reduce your risk of insect-borne diseases. We finish up with some information to help you make an educated purchase along with tips to increase their effectiveness.
BEST OVERALL
Mosquito Summit Dunks (6 Dunks)
Last update on 2019-07-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
- Easy to use
- Takes care of big mosquito problems
- Prevents mosquitoes in standing water
- Strong enough to break into pieces for longer use
Cons
- May harm other wildlife
Features & Specs
- 6 dunks
- Can control 100 square feet of water for 30 days
- Dunks can be split in half to cover more area
The Summit 20-Pack Mosquito Dunk contains BTI to kill mosquito larvae before they hatch. Use is as simple as it gets. Just drop one in a pool of standing water every month to keep mosquitoes under control. You can use it even with water features with fish in them. The number of tablets will get you through an entire breeding season.
BEST WITH IGR
Pre-Strike Mosquito Torpedo
Last update on 2019-06-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
- It has a residual effect for up to two months
- It works against other pests such as flies
- It has a decent residual effect of about 60 days
- It is slow release for longer effectiveness
- It will not cloud the water
Cons
- It deteriorates rapidly if exposed to sunlight
Features & Specs
- You can use it in smaller quantities of water
- It is safe for wildlife including aquatic organisms and birds
- They sink to the bottom of the water source and is unobtrusive in water features
Pre-Strike contains an insect hormone called (S)-Methoprene. You’ll see it in a wide variety of products. You’ll find it in a host of forms including flea collars. It works as an insect growth regulator to inhibit the development of adult mosquitoes. Unlike BTI, it can cause skin irritation in humans, making correct usage essential.
BEST ORGANIC
EcoSMART Organic Mosquito Control Tablets
Last update on 2019-06-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
- It is both child and pet-friendly
- The product dissolves quickly
- It is easy to use and highly effective against mosquitoes
- It will not harm birds, wildlife, or fish
- It is affordably priced considering its longevity and effectiveness
Cons
- While it is organic, it is highly toxic to honeybees and butterflies which makes it less than eco-friendly
Features & Specs
- You can dose it to the size of the water body to optimize its use
- It is EPA-registered
- It has a lengthy residual effect of up to three months which will save you money in the long run with reduced pesticide applications
- It will not contaminate the groundwater
EcoSMART Organic Mosquito Control Tablets contain a proprietary blend of essential oils and the active ingredient, spinosad. It is organic but will also kill non-targeted insects such as bees. It is incredibly soluble and will get on the job quickly.
BEST COMBO PACK
Summit Mosquito Dunks and Mosquito and Gnat Barrier Combo Pack
Last update on 2019-06-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
- It is both environmentally and pet-friendly
- It has a decent residual effect to make it a cost-effective solution
- It is affordably priced
- It works quickly
- It is organic
Cons
- It takes a bit to kill pests
- You should not use it on food plants
Features & Specs
- The pack deals with two of the most annoying pests, making it an excellent value for the price
- It repels most flying insects within a 10,000 square foot area
- It has a residual effect of up to one month
The Summit Mosquito Dunks and Mosquito and Gnat Barrier Combo Pack arms you with everything you need to help make your home pest-free. It includes the manufacturer’s mosquito dunk tablets. They contain the BTI bacteria for a useful yet safe solution for eliminating pests. Each one lasts about 30 days.
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read moreMosquito dunks provide an effective solution if you have a pond, birdbath, rain barrel, or other sources of standing water.
What Is a Mosquito Dunk?
A mosquito dunk contains a bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis or BTI which target the larvae of mosquitoes, fungus gnats, and black flies. It occurs naturally in the soil. In many ways, it’s the ideal pesticide. It is non-toxic to humans and wildlife so that you can use it safely in your yard without fear for your children or pets.
It’s used in consumer-grade insecticide as well as commercial applications. It’s even an approved pesticide for organic farming. Unlike other products, no evidence exists of resistance. You can apply it on food plants or in water sources without worry of any health risks to you or the environment.
You’ll also see products with different types of active ingredients such as spinosad and insect growth regulators like (S)-Methoprene. The purpose is the same, albeit, the approach differs. It’s essential to research the effects of other ingredients as the toxicity and use may vary. Remember that an organic or so-called natural product is not a guarantee of safety.
Are They Effective?
The fact that municipalities use it for aerial mosquito control speaks to its usefulness. Your city likely uses BTI to manage these pests. Their value exists in the fact that they affect only certain species, making them an overall excellent choice. These products kill the larvae before they hatch, focusing on the places where adult mosquitoes lay their eggs.
Bear in mind that they need only a small amount of liquid. Mosquito dunks provide an effective solution if you have a pond, birdbath, rain barrel, or other sources of standing water. You can still enjoy your backyard without being troubled by these pests. You can also rest assured that they pose little threat to beneficial insects such as honeybees.
The efficacy of the products varies with the active ingredient. Some kill on contact while others require continual exposure to get the job done. Reapplication is necessary throughout the mosquito breeding season for maximum effectiveness.
What Should I Look For When Buying Mosquito Dunks?
Mosquito Dunks are a very straightforward product and it is strange how they weren’t on the market sooner. A mosquito dunk is a small tablet of pesticide that slowly dissolves in water, breaking the watery shells of mosquito larvae and killing than before they even become the bloodsucking critters we have come to hate. This is an easy, reliable, and cheap way to devastate mosquito populations and make them unlikely to ever come to bite you.
Once a dunk is in place, it lasts for 30 days preventing any mosquitoes from developing in that standing body of water. After that period, just put another dunk in and do the same until the mosquito season has passed. This is much more effective to do before the mosquito season starts, as dunks will not kill adult specimens. It will kill all mosquitoes in the water, but you will already have adult specimens that can bite you in the meantime.
Mosquito Dunks are made from pesticides that are not harmful to humans or animals, including birds and fish. The active substances include Bacillus thuringiensis (Bti), subspecies B. israelensis solids, insecticidal toxins, and spores. Bti is a very strong pesticide that is made up of microorganisms that produce the toxins that kill mosquito larvae. It is only toxic to mosquitoes, as well as a few other annoying insects, including flies, beetles, and moths.
The three products that we have tested all work on the basis of this formula as it has been the one that has shown consistent results for all types of mosquitoes and in all environments. There are some differences in how they are handled and it is good that there are multiple choices to keep the other manufacturers in line, but these are the three that are guaranteed to work as described. Even though the products are described as dunks, plunks and bits, they are based on the same formula with the only difference on how you are planning to apply them to the water on or around your property.
Tips for Using Mosquito Dunks
You should put mosquito dunks in any water source no matter how small. Look for places where rain collects such as gutters, low spots in your yard, and plant containers. The best thing about these products is that they kill all known species of mosquitoes. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations to the letter for optimal control.
While practical, it makes sense to use mosquito dunks in conjunction with other methods. They include devices such as traps or zappers to reduce existing adult populations. You should also take a proactive approach. Avoid going outdoors when they are most active at dusk and dawn. Forgo putting on perfume or scented body lotions which can also attract pests too.
By attacking it from both fronts, you can significantly reduce the number of pests in your yard. Therein lies the value of mosquito dunks and supporting products. Our advice is to optimize your insect control strategy with a customized approach that deals with all the challenges that your situation presents.
If staying indoors isn’t an option, wear an EPA-approved mosquito repellent to keep you safe. You can also make your yard less mosquito-friendly by growing plants that repel these pests such as catnip, rosemary, or lavender. That way you can have a two-pronged plan that targets both larvae and adults that is chemical-free too.
Mosquito dunks provide an excellent way to control pests by harnessing the power of natural weapons to protect you and your family. They are affordable and effective which makes them worth considering for a reliable solution.