Mosquito Dunks

Frequently Asked Questions About Mosquito Dunks®

Mosquitoes have always been an annoying and sometimes deadly aspect of summer and with the recent spread of West Nile virus there has been a heightened interest in mosquito control throughout the North America. Homeowners, ranchers and farmers looking for a safe, nontoxic way to control mosquitoes can use Mosquito Dunks®, which kill mosquitoes before they can become flying, biting, disease-carrying adults.

What is a Mosquito Dunk®?
A Mosquito Dunk® looks like a small, beige donut which floats on standing water. As the Dunk® slowly dissolves, it releases a bacterium which is toxic to all species of mosquito larvae. Mosquito Bits® are a granule that contains the same active ingredient found in the Dunks®, but unlike the Dunks® the Bits release the larvicide immediately.

What is the active ingredient in Mosquito Dunks®?
The active ingredient in Mosquito Dunks® is Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis. (B.t.i.). B.t.i. is a bacterium that is deadly to mosquito larvae but harmless to other living things.

Where should Mosquito Dunks® be used?
Just float a biodegradable Mosquito Dunk® in water troughs, koi ponds, birdbaths, rain barrels or any place where water collects and remains for periods of time. When female mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water treated with a Mosquito Dunk®, the larvae will hatch and begin to eat the B.t.i. The B.t.i. will kill the mosquito larvae before they can grow up to become biting and disease-spreading adults.

How do Mosquito Dunks® work?
While floating, a Mosquito Dunk® slowly releases a long-term biological mosquito larvicide at the water’s surface. This larvicide gradually settles in the water, and while it travels through the water it is eaten by the mosquito larvae growing there.

What kinds of mosquito larvae will a Mosquito Dunk® kill?
There are approximately 2,500 species of mosquitoes throughout the world. The B.t.i. in Mosquito Dunks® will kill the larvae of ALL SPECIES of mosquitoes.

How much water will one Dunk® effectively treat?
One Mosquito Dunk® will effectively treat 100 square feet of surface water for 30 days or more. For less water, a portion of a Mosquito Dunk® can be used. Suitable treatment sites include swamps, fragmented puddles, trash dumps containing water, or water with a high concentration of organic material.

Are Mosquito Dunks® safe to use around fish, birds, wildlife, pets and children?
Yes. B.t.i., the active ingredient in Mosquito Dunks®, is very target specific for mosquitoes and does not adversely affect other organisms in the water. Mosquito Dunks® are also safe for use around birds, wildlife, children and pets. The EPA has registered Mosquito Dunks® for use in animal watering troughs and fish habitats. More recently the Dunks® have been approved for use in Organic Production and Gardening, under the National Organic Program guidelines.

What if my dog eats a Mosquito Dunk®?
Don’t worry. Even if your dog eats an entire Mosquito Dunk®, this will not adversely affect the animal. If an animal eats a Mosquito Dunk…