Mosquitoes? There's a better way than spraying!!

Summer and mosquitoes seem to go hand in hand on the Waupaca Chain.

Many property owners turn to yard fogging or mosquito spraying services for relief. Unfortunately, those sprays don't just kill mosquitoes—they also kill many of the beneficial insects that make our lakeshores healthy.

Mosquito sprays kill pollinators such as bees and butterflies, dragonflies, moths, caterpillars, and other insects that are essential to our ecosystem. Frogs, toads and salamanders are also affected by the contamination of wetlands and nearshore areas. Fireflies are especially vulnerable to insecticides. Their larvae spend up to two years living in soil and leaf litter, where they are exposed to pesticide residues. The drastic decline of fireflies is linked to pesticide use - specifically mosquito sprays.

Research has shown that mosquito fogging is a temporary solution that kills indiscriminately...and they come back to spray several times during the summer.

An alternative is the "Mosquito Bucket Challenge,"

promoted by Homegrown National Park (click: HERE for details)

Instead of spraying chemicals across an entire yard,

this approach targets mosquitoes before they become biting adults. It kills them by the thousands.

How it works: A simple bucket filled with water, organic material such as leaves, pine needles or grass clippings, and a small amount of Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) attracts female mosquitoes looking for a place to lay eggs. The Bti prevents mosquito larvae from developing into adults while having no impact on people, pets, birds, pollinators and other wildlife. NOTE: Mosquito dunks can be found at your local hardware store, along with a simple plastic bucket !

What makes this approach especially appealing for lakeshore owners is that it focuses on mosquito larvae rather than broadcasting pesticides throughout your home landscape. The goal is not to eliminate every mosquito, but to reduce mosquito numbers while protecting our shoreline and keeping it healthy and pesticide free for you, your kids, pets, pollinators and other beneficial insects.

Healthy lakeshores already provide natural mosquito control. Dragonflies, damselflies, bats, birds, frogs, and many aquatic insects feed on mosquitoes throughout their life cycle. Native plants help support these predators, creating a balanced ecosystem where nature does much of the work for us. Homegrown National Park recommends a "whole-yard" approach that includes planting native vegetation, eliminating unnecessary standing water, supporting natural predators, and using mosquito buckets where appropriate.

For lake property owners, the message is simple: before hiring a spraying service, consider the impact on the pollinators, fireflies, and beneficial insects that share your property.

Protecting our lakes begins not only in the water but also in the choices we make on the land.

Every shoreline matters. Every yard matters. And together, our choices can help create healthier lakes, healthier habitat, and healthier communities.