If you have a mosquito trouble in your yard , dragonflies may be the solution . They wipe out hundreds of mosquitoes a mean solar day .
Nothing smash a summer evening outdoors like being bitten by mosquitoes , so take what attracts snake doctor and damselfly , which junket on mosquito , can avail control them . While bug sprays and all important oil maykeep mosquitoes off from you , they ’ll move to another part of the yard . The three step sketch here will attract dragonflies to your yard .
About Dragonflies and Damselflies
Dragonflies and damselflies go to the same family(Odonata)of insects . They look similar , but damselflies are smaller and fly more lento than dragonflies . damselfly have hinges that allow them to fold their backstage together when resting , while dragonflies do not — their wings are always outstretched like a biplane .
Dragonflies and damselflies are carnivorous and feed on a large issue of modest worm . In addition to eating more than 100 mosquito per solar day , some grownup dragonflies also eat midge , gnat , and other little insects . If you give them the right aliveness conditions , snake doctor and damselflies will make your backyard their home and the mosquito population their dinner party .
Steps to Attract Dragonflies to Your Yard
1. Add a Water Feature to Your Yard
Dragonflies and damselfly are aquatic insects that spend most of their lives in or around water . They lay their orchis in water and pole on surrounding vegetation . Some species favour standing water , while others favour flow water — do some enquiry to see what types of aquatic insect are common in your area to determine the type of water characteristic to install . tally a bubbler or spring to deter extra mosquito from visiting , if possible .
If you install abird bathin your cubic yard , change the water every few days to prevent mosquito larvae from hatching and to provide a welcome place for devil’s darning needle to chatter . When the bird bath is dirty , use only a diluted acetum answer to clean it , as this will protect dragonflies and other wildlife .
When you ’re creating awater feature , ensure the water is at least 2 feet deep if you want dragonfly and damselflies to call it home . Mosquito larvae fly high best in shallow piddle , so having adeeper pondalso helps limit the number of mosquito in your yard .
2. Plant Vegetation Near a Water Source
For their best chances of survival , dragonfly and damselfly need a variety ofvegetation in or near water . Submerged botany give protection to eggs and nymphs . Plants partially submerse and partially above water provide nymph transitioning into grownup a course to go out the water . Floating plants give grownup perches for rest and laying egg . Marginal flora ( plants grow around the piss ’s border ) and nearby Tree and shrub provide grownup a position to rest , roost , and seek shelter .
3. Include Pollinator Plants in Your Landscape
A water generator guarantee that dragonflies have a steady supply of mosquito and gnat to eat on , but they also enjoy other types of dirt ball , including moths , butterflies , and bees . In addition toaquatic plant , incorporate pollinator plants into the landscapeto attract more modest insects for dragonflies and damselflies to eat . Some good pollinator works for pool includewater lily , buttercups , andirises .
darning needle and damselfly are insects you should invite to your garden . If you have an exist pond or bog down or need to build your own , incorporating industrial plant that pull dragonflies and damselflies will help you reap the benefit of their mosquito - based diet and provide them with a safe environment .
