Attracting More Dragonflies Means Fewer Mosquitoes by Erin Elizabeth for Health Nut News
- Mosquitoes have a tendency to get out of control in the summer months. Many of us want to spend time enjoying our backyard pools, patio dining table and walks in the park, but mosquitoes and their itchy bites have a way of ruining these experiences for all of us. Backyard barbecues and lawn parties are enjoyable when mosquitoes come to join, but thankfully, there are some natural mosquito enemies out there that will help you limit the bug bites! Dragonflies can eat hundreds of mosquitoes per day, and they’re also attracted to certain types of plants you can easily add to your lawn. (1, 2)
Dragonflies and Mosquitoes
Dragonflies have a scary name for being such a beautiful, efficient natural bug exterminator. They’re often found buzzing around wet areas where there are luscious flowers and plenty of other insects. They’re great at hunting down the pesky bugs that annoy you through summer, even the ones that have the potential to carry diseases. Research suggests that dragonflies consume up to 15 percent of their body weight daily in just mosquitoes, horseflies, termites, blackflies, and midges. (1, 2, 3)
According to an expert landscaper, Christine Cook, “Because [dragonflies] are top predators in the insect world, they keep a balance with the insects in your yard.” In order to attract dragonflies, however, you need to have the right plants! (4)
3 Plants You Can Keep to Attract Dragonflies (And Reduce Mosquitoes!)
1. Fragrant Water Lilies
This is a lovely aquatic plant that is easily recognizable by its traditional, wide open bloom. They have uniquely shaped leaves and pointed petals that are radially symmetrical and tend to be either white or pink. As an aquatic plant, you can set these plants in pots right in the water along the end of a pool, stream, or pond so that the tops of the pots are about six inches below the water’s surface. The fragrant water lilies will bloom above flat, heart-shaped, glossy green pads and will be beautiful to look at and excellent at attracting dragonflies. (5, 7)
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