WBL Seed Library: Why You Need a Mosquito Bucket

Hello Gardeners

Before I reveal why you need a Mosquito Bucket, I want to tell you about an opportunity to see fireflies! In my previous email I shared ways to encourage fireflies in your own yard, but many of you may not be in an ideal location to have fireflies.

But the Minnesota Arboretum does have fireflies for you to visit:

Experience the magic of summer nights at the Arboretum with hundreds of fireflies flashing through the sky! Bring your family and friends along to marvel at the wonder of these glowing winged beetles (also known as lightning bugs). Begin your firefly viewing experience by gathering to learn about these special creatures from local experts before heading out to see them live on the trails. July 11 and 12^th from 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm.

For more info and tickets see Fireflies

Here’s the previous information about how to encourage fireflies into your own yard for reference.

I’m lucky in that I have fireflies putting on a show every night! Fireflies are having a hard time finding places to live and mate. One way you can help is to turn off your outdoor lights. The artificial light (including solar lights) confuses the fireflies and they can’t find a mate to produce offspring. It’s not just outdoor lights which are a problem, but even lighting from indoors that shines outside is also confusing to fireflies. Please consider blinds or curtains on your windows where lights or TVs are on during dusk to dawn.

Here are two resources about how to help fireflies:

Firefly Organization

Xerces Organization

Mosquito Buckets

So what is a mosquito bucket and why might you want one?

A mosquito bucket is a way to draw female mosquitos who already nearby and stops the next generation before it hatches. By placing Bti, a natural bacterium in a backet of water, it targets mosquito larvae and prevents the eggs from hatching. Bti does not harm bees, birds or mammals.

This method of reducing mosquitos in your yard is much preferred than chemical fogging which harms wildlife, pets and kids and doesn’t stop mosquitos at their source.

For less than $11 (before the 11% rebate) I bought a 5 gallon bucket and a 6 pack of mosquito dunks (enough for 24 months of use) at Menards.

Here’s the website with detailed information: Mosquito Bucket

Here is a summary of the steps to create your own mosquito bucket:

1. Buy a 5 gallon bucket, preferrably dark colored, and a package of mosquito dunks.

2. Place the bucket in a shady location away from where you spend time. Add a sticker or label so neighbors know what it is.

3. Fill the bucket about 2/3 full of water. Add a handful of leaves or grass clipping to attract the female egg-laying mosquitos.

4. Add ¼ of a dunk. Bti is a naturally occurring bacterium. It is safe for bees, dragonflies, birds and kids.

5. Add a wire mesh cover or lid with 3/8” holes to keep pets, kids and other critters out. If you are not using a lid, place a stick inside so small animals can climb out. If you have young kids, please cover with a secure lid!

6. Refresh monthly. Replace dunk every 30 days. If you forget, your bucket becomes a breeding site, not a control site.

Plant Sales and Garden Tours

Plant sales are done for the year, but touring a local garden is just starting! Here is a list compiled by Family Fun Twin Cities of local gardens to enjoy the flowers!

Local Gardens

Local Greenhouses and Nurseries

As a request from our volunteers I am adding a list of various local greenhouses or garden centers that sell plants. Many of these establishments do not use neonicotinoids on their plants that they grow. But the buyer should beware: they may sell plants that were grown previously at a different wholesaler which did use systemic pesticides. You should ask the growers at these establishments whether neonics were used on the plants you wish to purchase.

Neonicotinoids or ‘neonics’ are a systemic pesticides used on plants to kill insects. Unfortunately, these insecticides also harm pollinators as the insecticide gets into all parts of the plant including the pollen and nectar.

The only way to be sure a plant has not been treated with neonics is to buy certified organic seed and grow it yourself, or buy a certified organically grown plant.

More information here.

Goldman’s Greenhouse – East Bethel, MN

Website: Goldman's

MNL – Ecological restoration and native species landscaping, retail and whole sale seeds. Website: MNL

Norther Hollar – Specializes in growing native plants of the Midwest. Website: Northern Hollar

Outback Nursery – Hastings, MN

Seller of Minnesota native trees, shrubs and perennials.

Website: Outback

Prairie Moon Nursery – Winona, MN and order online

They have hundreds of varieties of native plant seeds, plants and bare root stock.

Website: Prairiemoon

Prairie Restorations – Scandia, MN