Is there a holistic way to kill or repel mosquitoes or their larvae in my birdbath?

Question

...other than mosquito dunk 'ems which are costly and don't work as well as you'd think. There are dozens of larvae having a swim meet around a half-dissolved tablet I put in there just a couple of weeks ago (they're supposed to last at least a month).

And I don't want to hear "dump out the water" as I have several birds and squirrels that depend on the clean source of water I provide, and I enjoy watching them feed in my yard.

I am looking for a natural/holistic method of control so as not to hurt the wildlife. I've heard that a bundle of lavendar in the water works, but I have no access to lavendar.

Any other suggestions welcomed!

Answer 1

Worth a try... I use bay leaves in all my food cabinets in the kitchen to repel insects.  It might also possibly work in the bird bath water?

Answer 2

Changing the water regularly is important for the health of the birds and squirrels who depend on your water.  Getting rid of the mosquito larvae is an added bonus for you.

Answer 3

Other than keep changing the water no.  But don't the birds eat the larvae and the mosquitoes I would have thought they would birds like insects to eat.

Answer 4

Unfortunateley the only solution is to change the water regularly.  In the hot summer sun you should change it every day for the health of your birds.  Algae, fungus, and parasites will grow in there and can make birds very sick and even kill them.  I just pull out the hose and blast away the old water and anything growing in there and then refill it once its clean.  Your birds will be much happier (and healthier) if you do this.  If you have bird feeders you should be doing the same thing each time you refill them for the same reason. Clean them out and let them dry thoroughly before you refill them with seed so mold and fungus don't grow.

Answer 5

Lavender can't hurt, but I suggest the thing that you don't want to hear. If you thoroughly clean and change the water at least once a week, you will disrupt the breeding cycle of the mosquitoes and provide a cleaner environment for your feathery and furry friends.

Answer 6

I have a birdbath in my front yard.

As you've found, mosquito "dunks" don't work well.

Mosquitos will not lay eggs in moving water.  If you don't want to change your water daily (as I do) you can purchase a small birdbath pump to keep the water moving.  These can be battery operated or solar powered.

One advantage to a birdbath pump is that birds are attracted to moving water because they know it's cleaner.

Below are some examples:

http://www.bird-bath.com/decorative_fall...

http://www.rachelsrobin.com/shop/index.p...

http://www.whateverworks.com/itemdy00.as...

http://www.birdbaths.com/bird-bath-acces...

You may also want to do some searching for "birdbath pump" for more ideas.

Answer 7

Probably the best way, without chemcials or oil, is to keep the water in motion.

You can buy, fairly inexpensive, a small solar pump.

As long as the water moves, you will have less chances of mosquitoes.

Answer 8

I don't know of anything,but what I do is dump out the water every other day,doesn't give them time to hatch out.I really can't say if its working or not because our area has had extremes in weather this year and every thing seems more intense.

Answer 9

I change the water everyday.  Clean water is essential for bird and other wildlife.