B.t.i.bacteria is released by Mosquito Dunks in standing water. It paralyzes the mosquito’s gut and causes it to lay its eggs in the stomach cells of the mosquito’s parent. The eggs hatch into adult mosquitoes. The most obvious benefit is the reduction of mosquito populations. Mosquitoes are an important vector of malaria, dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, and West Nile virus (WNV).
They are also vectors of other diseases, such as the Zika virus, which has been linked to microcephaly and other birth defects in babies born to pregnant women infected with the virus. In addition, mosquitoes are a major source of vector-borne diseases.
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What is a mosquito dunker?
Dunk® looks like a small, beige donut which floats on standing water. Dunk®releases a bacterium which is toxic to all species of mosquito. For 30 days or more, dunk kills mosquito larvae. It has been approved for use in organic and conventional agriculture.
Do Mosquito Dunks kill other insects?
For more information on the use of pyrethroid pesticides, please visit the EPA website at www.epa.gov. This product is not intended for use by pregnant women or children under the age of 6 months. It is also not recommended for people who are allergic to any of the ingredients in the product.
If you are pregnant or nursing, talk to your healthcare provider before use. Do not use if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to a product containing this ingredient. The product may cause eye and skin irritation. Store in a cool, dry place.
Do Mosquito Dunks kill adults?
Dunks and the water treated with them are 100% safe for both humans and other living creatures including mosquitoes. Mosquitoes, like all insects, need water to survive. The only way they can survive is if they have access to a source of water that is clean and safe. That source is a mosquito dunking tank.
Are Mosquito Dunks harmful to bees?
Studies show that bti has minimal toxicity to honey bees. The toxins produced by Bti affect only mosquitoes, black flies and fungus gnats. honeybees are not affected by these toxins. Bti is not a pesticide. It is a naturally occurring pesticide that has been used for thousands of years for pest control.
Are Mosquito Dunks supposed to dissolve?
It is not how the mosquito dunks are designed to work that they will not be dissolved into water immediately. They float on standing water areas to break down the water so no mosquitoes can lay their eggs in it.
Will Mosquito Dunks hurt dogs?
B.t.i., the active ingredient in Mosquito Dunks®, is not harmful to other organisms in the water. It is safe to use Mosquito Dunks® around birds, wildlife, children and pets.
Are Mosquito Dunks harmful to wildlife?
This biological pest control product kills mosquito larvae but is completely non-toxic to animals such as fish, birds, wildlife and pets. Each individual dunk will last up to 30 days in standing water and will cover 100 square feet of surface area. The product is safe to use on pets and children under the age of 6 months. For more information, please visit our website.
Are mosquito bites and Mosquito Dunks the same thing?
The bits, sold as Mosquito Bits™, provide a fast kill (within 24 hours) versus the dunks that generally take longer to kill since they have a lower dose of Bti. The bits don’t provide long-term control. Another option is to use the bits for a quick kill and then use a dunking device to remove the bit from the body. Bits are available in a variety of sizes, from 1/4″ to 1-1/2″ in diameter.
