Building a Dragonfly Sanctuary in Your Yard: Nature’s Solution to Mosquito Control

Introduction

Here at Cyclone Rake, our hatred of mosquitoes is equivalent to our love for dragonflies. Not only are dragonflies incredibly cool to watch and effectively harmless to humans, they are public enemy number one to the hated mosquito.

Fun Fact: Did you know a dragonfly can consume upwards of 80-100 mosquitoes per day? What's more, a recent meta-analysis found that dragonflies "can provide effective biological control of mosquitoes" and, on average, a dragonfly consumes 40 mosquito larvae per day. Pretty impressive, huh? (Source.)

The question then becomes: is there a way to leverage the power of these predators against the hated mosquito? There is, in fact, and in this blog post we’ll walk you through how best to create a dragonfly sanctuary to tame the mosquitoes in your yard.

Steps to Create a Dragonfly Sanctuary

1. Add a Water Feature

Dragonflies need water to complete their life cycle. Adding a water feature is the most important step in creating a dragonfly sanctuary. While this can also create a breeding spot for mosquitoes, it’s a requisite part of attracting dragonflies.

• Size and Depth: A depth of about two feet is preferred, but dragonflies can make do with shallower, too. A larger surface area will attract more dragonflies.
• Shallow Edges: Create shallow edges with plants that can support dragonfly nymphs as they emerge from the water.
• No Fish: Avoid adding fish to the water feature, as they can prey on dragonfly nymphs.

2. Include Aquatic Plants

Aquatic plants provide essential habitat for dragonfly nymphs and perching spots for adult dragonflies.

• Submerged Plants: Plants like water milfoil and pondweed offer hiding spots for nymphs.
• Emergent Plants: Cattails, rushes, and water lilies provide structures for dragonflies to climb and perch on as they transition from water to air.

3. Provide Perching Sites

Dragonflies need sunny spots to rest and warm up. Adding perching sites around your yard will make it more attractive to them.

• Rocks and Logs: Place rocks and logs around the pond and in sunny areas of your yard.
• Tall Plants and Sticks: Add tall plants, garden stakes, or decorative sticks for dragonflies to perch on.

4. Create a Diverse Habitat

A diverse yard with a variety of plants will support a healthy insect population, providing a steady food source for dragonflies.

• Native Plants: Incorporate native flowering plants to attract other insects that dragonflies feed on.
• Bushes and Shrubs: Plant bushes and shrubs around the water feature to create sheltered spots and attract more insects.

5. Avoid Pesticides

Pesticides can harm dragonflies and other beneficial insects. Adopt natural gardening practices to maintain a healthy, chemical-free environment.

• Natural Pest Control: Use companion planting and other organic methods to manage pests.
• Encourage Biodiversity: Promote a balanced ecosystem by encouraging beneficial insects and predators.

Conclusion

Building a dragonfly sanctuary in your yard is a beautiful and eco-friendly way to combat mosquitoes. By creating a water feature, incorporating aquatic plants, providing perching sites, fostering a diverse habitat, and avoiding pesticides, you can attract these remarkable predators and enjoy a mosquito-free yard.