TIL of the Mosquito Bucket of Doom

H/T to @giveashitnature for posting about a method for killing mosquitoes without spraying indiscriminate insecticides. The trick uses a biodegradable tablet called "Mosquito Dunk" containing Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), a naturally-occurring bacteria which specifically targets mosquito and fungus gnat larvae. As the dunk slowly dissolves in a bucket with water, it releases the bacteria, which the larvae eat, causing them to die before becoming adults. They're safe for bees, butterflies, frogs, pets fish, birds, humans-- anything except the target species.

You can buy them online or at a hardware store and each tablet lasts for 30+ days.

Photo credit: Judy's Chickens

1. Fill a bucket 2/3rds with water
2. Drop a handful of plant matter to mostly cover the water's surface
3. Wait a day, then drop in a mosquito dunk.
4. Cover the bucket with 1/2in mesh hardware cloth to prevent animals from getting trapped inside. Keep the bucket in a shady spot.
5. Mosquitoes are attracted to the smell of the decaying plant matter, and lay their larvae in the bucket
6. Refill the water as it evaporates, and put another tablet when the previous one has fully dissolved.