Common Cape Invasives: How to Get Rid of Them & Replace with Similar Natives!
June 23, 2025
CCC Fall Native Plant Sale & Fest – September 20th, 9am – 1pm
July 30, 2025
Join the Mosquito Bucket Challenge
Stacey Wildberger
As discussed in previous articles, there are safer and more effective ways to combat mosquitoes than spraying through private companies or the County mosquito spraying program. The biggest contributor to increased mosquito populations is standing water. Eliminate all sources of standing water in your yard and you eliminate their breeding areas so they cannot even get started!
The following is do-it-yourself backyard mosquito control. Get ready to take the mosquito bucket challenge! All you need are a few simple items.
Mosquito buckets are an easy and safe alternative to mosquito fogging
- Fogging doesn’t stop mosquitoes from breeding
- Fogging kills beneficial bugs, bees, butterflies, fireflies, and nesting birds
- Fogging undoes the work you are doing to create safe pollinator spaces
- Buckets work better and they are affordable
- Buckets work by interrupting the mosquito life cycle before they get airborne
- Buckets are safe for children and pets
Materials Needed
- 5-gallon bucket
- Water
- Dead leaves, grass clippings or straw
- Mosquito dunk Bacillus thuringiensis
- Stick
- Markers/paints (optional)
Directions
- Step 1 Decorate your bucket (optional)
- Step 2 Fill the bucket 2/3 full of water
- Step 3 Add dead leaves, grass clippings or straw to make it FUNKY
- Step 4 Break the mosquito dunk into quarters and add 1 quarter to the bucket
- Step 5 Add a stick so small animals have an escape hatch
- Step 6 Place the bucket in a quiet, shady place away from the house and play areas.
- Step 7 Place out of reach of children. Add more than 1 bucket for larger yards
Enter to win a $25 gift certificate for CCC’s Native Plant Fest and Sale! Please email us a picture of your Mosquito Bucket to be entered in a drawing for a $25 gift certificate to our Native Plant Fest and Sale on September 20th, 2025, 9am to 1pm! The sale is located in the field behind the Cape Clubhouse (1223 River Bay Rd, Annapolis) Email CCC at president@capeconservationcorps.org to be entered!
