Will Lime Kill Mosquitoes?

Kill Mosquitoes with Bacteria

• Bacillus thuringiensis strain israelensis (Bti) contains a soil bacterium that controls mosquito larva without posing a threat to birds, people, pets, wildlife or beneficial insects. This safe insecticide is available in various forms -- including liquids, pellets and slow-release discs that float on water surfaces -- to control mosquitoes in pools, ponds and soggy areas of lawns. One brand of Bti recommends mixing 2 teaspoons of the pesticide in 1 gallon of water and drenching the soggy soil with the solution where mosquitoes are a problem.

Create an Unpleasant Environment

• The best defense against mosquitoes is to ensure your lawn and garden is uninhabitable by these pesky insects. Eliminating stagnant or standing water, such as in gutters, old tires, flower pots, old containers and jars, goes a long way in preventing a mosquito infestation. This standing water provides the perfect environment for mosquitoes to lay their eggs. If mosquitoes are a problem in your man-made pond, consider introducing mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) to consume the immature mosquitoes. Never introduce mosquitofish into natural bodies of water such as ponds, lakes or streams without first contacting your local Department of Fish and Game since they may not be native to your area.

Attract Their Enemies

• Attracting their natural enemies and predators will naturally keep the number of mosquitoes in your landscape under control without the use of chemicals. Dragonflies feed on the larval stage of mosquitoes while birds and bats consume the adults. Planting dragonfly-attracting plants, such as summersweet (Clethra alnifolia), which grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9, helps entice these mosquito predators to the area. Another option is to install bird or bat houses in your yard to attract these beneficial predators.

Homemade Mosquito Repellent

• Instead of purchasing expensive and potentially harmful insecticides, consider creating your own homemade spray that contains ingredients you just might have on hand at this very moment. Mixing 1 cup of lemon scented dish soap -- that does not contain chlorine -- and 1 cup of lemon scented ammonia in a hose end sprayed set to 20 gallons will repel mosquitoes when applied to your lawn, according to the University of Florida St. Lucie County Extension website. They also suggest adding 1 tablespoon of olive oil to rain barrels to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in the barrels. Good covers on the rain barrels can keep out mosquitoes and also protect young children from climbing in and drowning.