Mosquito Dunks, a trademark of Summit Chemicals, is a product specifically designed to kill larvae before they turn into pesky-biting adults! Instead of spraying mosquito-killing toxins into the air around you, Mosquito Dunks can be used safely while getting rid of the problem effectively. Our in-depth Mosquito Dunks review gives a comprehensive evaluation of this product used to stop larvae in their track before they become an irritation to humans and pets. We’ll talk you through the various features of Mosquito Dunks, as well as all the pros and cons you need to know before using this product in your home or office.
To help you get a better overview of Mosquito Dunks, we’re reviewing features such as overall performance and functions, ingredients, ease of use, and coverage. You’ll get all the safety information you need to know about this product, as well as the maintenance and durability of the dunks. A list of noteworthy key features is also included.
Mosquito Dunks resemble miniature donuts, measuring approximately two inches in diameter, with a small hole in the center. They work by releasing a natural mosquito larvicide into the surrounding water, which kills larvae before it turns into biting insect. Mosquito Dunks are effective for up to 30 days, making them an ideal long-term larvicide. The Dunks are placed into any standing water, and a bacterium, which is toxic to all mosquito species, is slowly released. Mosquito larvae feed on the product as it moves through the water. A laboratory and semi-field evaluation study Trusted Source Laboratory and semi-field evaluation of Mosquito Dunks against Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus larvae (Diptera: Culicidae) - PubMed Laboratory bioassays and semi-field studies were conducted on the efficacy and longevity of Mosquito Dunks (7,000 ITU/mg Bti) in order to determine the concentration-response relationship and the effectiveness on the potency of the Bti product against Aedes mosquito species based on the WHO protocol. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov revealed that Mosquito Dunks performed satisfactorily—as high as 80%–at 11 weeks post-treatment. Mosquito Dunks are highly efficient in eradicating large populations of mosquito larvae in a short period of time while staying effective for up to a month.
The key active ingredient in Mosquito Dunks responsible for killing larvae is the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies Israelis (Bti). It’s the first found Bacillus thuringiensis Trusted Source Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis and Its Dipteran-Specific Toxins - PMC Mosquitoes are an enormous public health menace in transmitting various tropical diseases and generally as a nuisance. Many species of the genera Anopheles, Aedes and Culex are vectors of, e.g., malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, hemorrhagic fever and lymphatic filariasis. Despite the use of synthetic pesticides over the past 70 years, mosquito-borne diseases are still threatening half of the world’s population. Malaria remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality and kills about 660,000 people a year, mainy young children in Africa. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov used for its effectiveness as a biological control agent against mosquitos, gnats, and black flies. Inert ingredients include granular cork bark and a plaster compound.
While Bti is highly effective as a larvicide against mosquito larvae, there’s no evidence they’re harmful to other creatures such as dragonflies, bees, butterflies, or ladybugs. This, in itself, makes this product a safe larvicide for organic gardening and, as such, has been approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency Trusted Source Our Mission and What We Do | US EPA Mission Statement of the EPA — to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment – air, water and land – upon which life depends. www.epa.gov (US EPA.)
Mosquito Dunks is a floating sustained-release larvicide placed in standing water. When the Dunks start to dissolve, releasing the bacterium, it travels through the water. Depending on how much you use, different coverage can be reached.
Coverage and treatment are on the water surface, and the Mosquito Dunks are effective for up to a month or even slightly longer. When calculating how many dunks to use on a dry surface, it’s recommended to place one Mosquito Dunk for every 10 square meters of land that will become wet.
It couldn’t get any easier using Mosquito Dunks to annihilate a population of larvae before they grow into biting adults, with some species even responsible for transmitting diseases Trusted Source Mosquito-Borne Diseases | NIOSH | CDC Mosquito-borne diseases are those spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Diseases that are spread to people by mosquitoes include Zika virus, West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus, dengue, and malaria. www.cdc.gov . Dunks can be broken into portions, depending on the size of the area being treated. Dunks can be placed in standing water, such as:
Don’t place dunks into swimming pools treated with chlorine, as this chemical element will keep mosquito larvae at bay. Active pool pumps and cleaners will also prevent larvae from establishing in a swimming pool. Mosquito Dunks work best in stagnant areas, so avoid placing them in running or churning water. When using the dunks, simply remove them from the packaging, break into the right size if necessary, and put them in the water. The product will then float on the surface while slowly releasing the Bti into the water. Even after placing them on a dry surface, just wait! When the area gets wet, the Dunk will float up to the top of the water’s surface.
Because Mosquito Dunks are meant to only kill mosquito larvae, fungus gnats, and black flies, they’re safe to use in areas used by livestock, pets, other creatures, and humans. However, the manufacturers of Mosquito Dunks recommend not using them to treat drinking water intended for human consumption and to avoid direct contact with the skin, eyes, and clothing. Because Dunks only use a naturally-occurring bacterium to control mosquito larvae and not toxic chemicals, this product is considered safe. A publication issued by the New York Department of Health Trusted Source Guidance when using Mosquito Dunks Dunks (larvicide) utilize a naturally-occurring type of bacteria to control mosquitoes before they become flying, biting, potentially disease-carrying adults. www.health.ny.gov state that Mosquito Dunks can cause minor irritations to bare skin and eyes. They recommend washing hands thoroughly after handling the product.
The dunks can be safely used on or near plants, including fruit and vegetables. You can even dilute dunks in water used for watering pot plants. Neither the soil nor the plants will be contaminated, and it’s safe to consume plants that have been exposed to Mosquito Dunks. All animals are safe, too, even if water treated with Mosquito Dunks seeps into lakes, dams, or rivers. And, if your child happens to drink water treated with dunks, don’t panic. Just keep a close eye on any unusual but extremely rare symptoms and speak to your doctor if you’re concerned. Mosquito Dunks, even when dissolved, don’t cause any damage to equipment such as:
While you don’t have to wear gloves or safety goggles when handling the dunks, it’s always advisable to avoid skin or eye contact.
Mosquito Dunks are highly effective in maintaining mosquito populations, and it’s important to start using them as soon as the breeding season begins in spring. While the dunks effectively kill off the larvae, they have no impact on the adults. Replenishing with fresh dunks every 30 days or so will help keep the larvae under control while the adults are breeding and laying eggs. It takes up to 48 hours before the larvae begin to die off, so factor that in when using the dunks as a form of mosquito control.
Mosquito Dunks are specifically designed to float on the water surface while releasing Bti. The dunks can withstand most conditions, although it’s recommended to stake them with sticks or string in areas subjected to heavy rains or wind. This way, the dunks aren’t washed out or blown away during a storm or flooding.
The dunks aren’t prone to disintegrating under harsh UV rays, so placing them in direct sunlight should have little impact on their effectiveness as a mosquito control agent. However, the units aren’t as durable against fish, turtles, and amphibians who love to eat them! In areas such as fish ponds, it’s recommended to place the dunks in stockings. This protects them while still letting water flow through for the dispersal of the bacterium. The dunks can be used as a form of pre-flooding treatment. Placing them in dry areas that will become mosquito breeding grounds when flooded helps to keep the population under control. Mosquito Dunks are durable enough to withstand both dry and wet conditions while still performing optimally.
Using Mosquito Dunks is one of the most cost-effective ways of controlling larvae during the breeding season. Compared to sprays and other methods used to get rid of adult mosquitos, the dunks can effectively and safely remove large populations of larvae before they grow into biting insects. This reduces the need to spray expensive chemicals to get rid of adult mosquitos.
Packaging includes 2, 6, or 20 dunks, so if you’re only looking to control a small area, you can buy smaller quantities and save money, rather than buying bulk and not using them. One Dunk is sufficient for treating 100 square feet of water, equivalent to the size of a single garage. However, buying the 20s pack is more cost-effective if you’re treating water every month as part of a maintenance plan. When it comes to convenience, ease of use and long-term effectiveness, the price tag is negligible. No other tools, such as insecticide sprayers or fogging machines, are required for application, making Mosquito Dunks an affordable mosquito-control agent for homeowners.
Key features worth noting when deciding if Mosquito Dunks is the solution for you include:
| PROS | CONS |
| ·        Contain no toxic chemicals hazardous to humans and other living organisms
·        Excellent for controlling large populations of mosquito larvae ·        Cost-effective for long-term eradication of mosquito larvae ·        Effective in standing water with a minimum depth ·        Safe disposal and eco-friendly ·        Little or no scent ·        Requires no equipment or safety gear during application ·        Fast-working with larvae dying within 48 hours of application |
·        It can cause minor skin and eye irritation
·        Doesn’t kill adult mosquitos ·        It can become costly if eaten by fish, frogs, and other creatures ·        It can be washed away in strong flowing water if not anchored ·        It may not be easy to break into smaller portion sizes for coverage below 100 square feet ·        Need to be applied every 30 days for effective control during the breeding season ·        Need to use chemicals to eradicate adult mosquitos if they become a nuisance |
Mosquito Dunks are one of the safest, most eco-friendly, and cost-effective long-term larvicide products on the market for eradicating mosquitos and black flies. Our comprehensive Mosquito Dunk review demonstrates just how highly effective this product is for controlling this pesky insect when you live close to large or small areas of standing water. They’re easy to use and convenient so give them a go when eradicating the next population of mosquito larvae on your property!
