Dragonflies are one of nature’s most wonderful, beautiful, and mysterious insects. You probably see the odd dragonfly buzzing around your garden and let it continue on its way. However, did you know that these pretty bugs are also excellent for keeping mosquito populations under control? Not only do they eat adult mosquitoes, but they eat mosquito larvae, too. In fact, dragonflies are considered one of the most effective natural predators of mosquitoes and can help to control mosquito populations in your yard or garden. There are a few reasons why dragonflies are so effective at controlling mosquitoes. First, they have excellent vision and are able to track and catch flying insects in mid-air. Second, they are very agile and can change direction quickly, allowing them to chase and catch their prey with ease. And third, they are known to be territorial and will defend their territory against other dragonflies, which means that they will actively hunt mosquitoes and other flying insects in their area.
If you are interested in using dragonflies to keep mosquitoes away from your outdoor spaces, there are a few things you can do to encourage these helpful insects to take up residence in your yard or garden:
Provide a suitable habitat: Dragonflies prefer to live near bodies of water, such as ponds, lakes, and streams. If you have a water feature in your yard, such as a pond or fountain, you may be able to attract dragonflies to your property. Alternatively, you can create a small pond or water garden in your yard to provide a suitable habitat for dragonflies.
Avoid using pesticides: Pesticides can be harmful to dragonflies and other beneficial insects. If you want to attract dragonflies to your yard, it’s important to avoid using pesticides and other harmful chemicals.
Consider purchasing dragonfly larvae: If you’re having trouble attracting dragonflies to your yard, you can purchase dragonfly larvae online or from a local nursery. The larvae will grow into adult dragonflies and can help to control mosquito populations in your yard.
If you’re interested in attracting dragonflies to your yard or garden, planting the right vegetation is key. Dragonflies need both water and vegetation to thrive, and there are a variety of plants that can help to attract these beneficial insects. Here are a few plants that are known to attract dragonflies:
1. Arrowhead
This aquatic perennial sprouts tiny white flowers with yellow centers. Dragonflies love these plants and use them to lay their eggs.
2. Black-Eyed Susan
This popular plant not only attracts dragonflies, but butterflies and bumblebees, too! Black-eyed susan grows well in essentially all soil types and likes full sun, as well as regular watering.
3. Meadow Sage
This beautiful purple perennial is a favorite of dragonflies and butterflies. This plant is fairly hardy, and can even survive in hot, sunny environments that don’t receive a ton of water.
4. Swamp Milkweed
This perennial produces little white and pink flowers in the summer and is a great source of nectar that attract dragonflies, butterflies, and bees. This plant thrives in wet, moist locations. Milkweed also provides a habitat for monarch butterflies and their larvae.
5. White Yarrow
This pretty plant produces clusters of tiny white flowers. This plant loves full sun and is fairly easy to grow and maintain.
6. Joe-Pye Weed
These purple-pink plants can grow to be quite tall, and are favorites of butterflies, dragonflies, and bees. In addition to looking beautiful, they also have a lovely, sweet scent. The plant is native to North America and is a favorite of dragonflies. Joe-Pye weed prefers moist soil and can grow up to 6 feet tall, making it a great plant to attract dragonflies to your yard or garden.
7. Pond Plants
Dragonflies commonly breed around water, as their offspring need places to hide. They love both submerged and floating pond plants including eelgrass, baby pondweed, water lilies, and lotus flowers.
8. Goldenrod
Goldenrod is a tall, yellow-flowered plant that is known to attract a variety of pollinators, including dragonflies. The plant blooms in late summer and is a great source of nectar for adult dragonflies. Goldenrod can grow up to 5 feet tall and prefers well-drained soil.
9. Cardinal flower
The Cardinal flower is a stunning red-flowered plant that is a favorite of dragonflies. The plant blooms in mid-to-late summer and prefers moist soil. Cardinal flower can grow up to 3 feet tall and is a great addition to a water garden or pond.
10. Flat Rocks
Now, flat rocks clearly aren’t plants, but they create perfect places for dragonflies to sun themselves on. Try placing a variety of flat rocks around the edge of your pond or garden to act as perching places for these special insects.
Dragonflies are attracted to a variety of plants that provide them with suitable habitats for perching, laying eggs, and finding food. By including a mix of aquatic plants, wildflowers, grasses, and other plants that dragonflies love in your landscape, you can create a habitat that will attract these beneficial insects to your yard or garden.