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Dragonfly Gardening

Dragonflies and Pest Control

Dragonflies can be a form of pest control. If you have a pond or water garden that attracts dragonflies, you probably know that dragonflies eat mosquitoes and other small, annoying flying insects. You also know that even a host of dragonflies probably cannot eat all of them.

That leaves many of us in a quandary. If we want to rid our yard of mosquitoes, either for entertaining outdoors or so children can play safely, we may feel that controlling mosquitoes is not enough. We want them gone.

There are foggers and other pest control delivery systems that will kill almost all mosquitoes. The problem is that they generally will kill the dragonflies, butterflies and honey bees, too. We don’t want that.

The best solution, if you do not live in a place that currently has an outbreak of dangerous disease-carrying mosquitoes is to just live with them. If you take normal precautions (such as: do not wear flowery perfume, wear dark colors, take brewers yeast, avoid working outside at dusk or after dark) and if you do not have a specific mosquito allergy, a few mosquitos will not bother you much.

If there is a disease outbreak in your neighborhood, it is probably worth fogging—or adding fish to your water garden to eat the mosquito larvae. On the other hand, local authorities will probably be spraying anyhow, so you probably do not need to do anything.

It is always a good idea, during a mosquito outbreak, to keep children indoors as much as possible. Especially, be sure to get them inside well before dusk, when mosquitoes become more active.

As far as pest control indoors, generally it is best to simply hire a professional company at PestControl.us and let them handle it. No one needs bugs indoors.



Ponds, Pools and Dragonflies

“Dragonfly ponds,” as I use the term here, are “natural” ponds, meaning they are ecosystems that have been allowed to develop naturally. They contain plants, dragonfly larvae, mosquito larvae, and other creatures. Often they also have fish, frogs, turtles or other wildlife, which may include snakes, etc. Fish eat mosquito larvae and dragonflies eat mosquitoes.

That means a dragonfly pond is not good for swimming. Fish rely on a delicate system of bacteria to break down waste and replenish oxygen. Turtles may bite. And snakes… Well, you see what I mean.

So dragonfly lovers who want to swim often have a swimming pool in addition to or instead of a natural pond or water garden. Unlike a wild pond, swimming pools require maintenance. But they generally require much less maintenance than a water garden or koi pond.

For the same reason that you do not want to swim in a natural pond that is not constantly cleansed by a clear running stream, you want your swimming pool to be sparkling clean and sanitary. That requires using the right pool filters and pool chemicals to keep the water attractive and healthful, but it is easy to do.

You can easily order pool supplies on line and add or change them according to the instructions provided. There is no need to take a lot of time away from watching dragonflies.

After all, dragonflies will generally find their own way into your yard if there are nearby ponds, puddles or slow-running steams. But if you want to swim, you need a swimming pool.

And there is no reason to choose between a pond and a pool when you can so easily have both a thriving wild pond and a sparkling, fresh swimming pool, where you can relax on a raft or a chaise and watch dragonflies while sipping a cool drink.

Ordering pool supplies and accessories on line from Doheny’s makes it easy.


Why Not to Swim in Your Dragonfly Pond

Tempting as it may seem on a hot summer’s day, ponds, whether natural or manmade, are not good places to swim. Natural ponds, especially, can even be hazardous to swim in. For one thing, you can get tangled in water plants growing below the surface and drown. For another, you could get sick.

A lot of natural ponds, while great for pond life like dragonfly larvae, are really unsanitary, as there is no outlet and the water never truly gets refreshed. Often they are murky so you can’t see the bottom. And you really don’t know what all is living in there. Snakes? Snapping turtles? Not good swimming buddies.

Manmade water gardens with good filtration are somewhat better. At least they are not muddy. But even then you never know what kind of wildlife may have crept in.

Koi and other decorative fish ponds have cleaner water but often also have rather delicate ecologies. So any sunscreen or lotion, soap residue, deodorant, or other chemicals on your skin could potentially upset that balance and harm the fish. Plus you really don’t want people splashing around upsetting your koi.

Most importat is that you cannot put chlorine or other pool chemicals in your water garden without damaging the ecology. That’s why it’s better for your health to have a separate swimming pool that is properly filtered and treated for humans.

There is a very good reason why swimming pools require special pool filters and special chemicals. They are there to protect your health by preventing disease. Of course, they also make the water clear and beautiful—and much, much safer for swimming.

So swim in your own clear, sparkling swimming pool, and leave the dragonflies hovering over their murky pond in peace.


Wetlands or Water Gardens, It’s Still Swamp Mud

Whether you hike through wetlands to watch dragonflies or maintain a water garden to attract them, one thing you learn: swamp mud stains. It often smells bad, too.

And make no mistake, the mud on the bottom of your pond or caked on your hiking boots is swamp mud. That is, it is high in organic content. It will stain floors, carpets and upholstery like crazy.

Experienced oders (dragonfly watchers), hikers, and pond maintenance workers know to leave hiking boots or waders on the porch or in the garage to dry out, and then to knock off the mud after it dries. It’s much easier that way.

Kids and dogs (and sometimes husbands) don’t always grasp—or remember—that. So they may wade in your pond or the boggy area at the edge of most ponds, and track that nasty, smelly, hard-to-clean swamp mud indoors. Whether playing or doing maintenance, the mud is the same.

When they do that, here’s what you should do: Call an expert to get the stains out. (Yelling only helps prevent future stains, and only sometimes.)

For example, in central Texas you can get help from the steam team: http://www.thesteamteam.com/ for all kinds of stains, including swamp mud. They clean carpets, upholstery, and hardwood floors, using green carpet cleaning products austin. And they can repair all kinds of flood, fire, and water damage, and get rid of fish smells and pet odors, too.

So, swamp mud or not, it’s not the end of the world…It just smells like it. So get help quick, and get the swamp mud smell out of the house. 



Your Questions About Attract Dragonflies

Donna asks…

what attracts dragonflies?

in our backyard just above our roof there are probably about 20 dragonflies all flying around in a small range all together, is it because of the weather? we have a terrible storm on the way

Dragonfly Lore answers:

Dragonflies love to eat mosquitos, maybe you have alot of them and the dragonflies are chowing down.

James asks…

how to attract dragon flies to my pond?

i have a 300 gallon pond for my res turtles. they live with some goldfish and guppies. unfortunately its attracting lots of mosquitoes. what is the best way to attract dragon flies, and suggestions on how the deter my turtles from eating dragonfly nymphs?

thanks!

Dragonfly Lore answers:

Your turtles are eating your dragonflies. And you can’t stop them. Use mosquito dunks in the pond to deter mosquitoes. Check to be sure they are safe for turtles. They are safe for fish, I know.

Sandy asks…

are dragonflies attracted to bright shiny things?

 

Dragonfly Lore answers:

Dragonflies are not really attracted to water, they are attracted more to the insects around water and swampy areas. I don’t think there is any real way to attract them to an area, because their lifespan is way to short. Once a dragonfly morphs from its nymph stage into the fly itself it will only live for 24 to 36 hours. Most of its time is spent eating. The rest of its time is spent doing the mating and laying eggs to make more dragon flies.

Ken asks…

Butterflies & Dragonflies?

Is it possible to keep Butterflies as pets? And I live in the North in the U.S. and its winter now, so how would I keep them alive?
Also, how do I attract other types of butterflies & dragonflies to my garden, I usually get Monarchs and little yellow and white ones, and the occasional “Zebra” butterflies.

Dragonfly Lore answers:

Butterflies are generally very difficult to keep as pets. While they thrive during the warmer spring and summer they are difficult to get through their entire lifecycle. A zoo near where I lived kept trying for several years before stopping. Many people are content with keeping a few hardy species for a few months each year. Dragonflies need water and vegetation while butterflies are specifically attracted to certain plants. Butterflies especially like glucose water. I suggest researching what foods your butterflies like and planting those plants.

Betty asks…

I had 15 dragonflies in my back yard,why?…are they attracted to something?

 

Dragonfly Lore answers:

Dragonflies are found in numbers in areas where food is abundant, which is why you are likely seeing them in your yard. In our garden throughout the summer we have loads of dragonflies. In the garden there are lots of plants and trees, as well as lots of other insects and bugs. This means an abundance of food for the dragonflies, which prey on other insects, especially flies. You’ll find them zipping through swarms of mosquitoes, mayflies, caddisflies, and ants, hunting for their next meal. This is why you’ll often see lots of dragonflies near ponds and still bodies of water – they’re breeding grounds for many species of flies and other insects, and provide lots of food for hungry dragonflies.

Hope this has answered your question well for you. Take care!!

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Your Questions About Dragonflies Habitat

Ken asks…

What kind of habitat would a dragonfly live in?

I’m doing a science project, and so far, I can’t find any other details about a dragonfly’s habitat except that it has to be near water. I was just wondering if anyone out there had any other specific details about a dragonfly’s habitat. Can anyone help me?

Dragonfly Lore answers:

They like swampy, marshy areas that have a lot of plants, so that there is spots to rest, hunt, find mates and breed. Open water, or water that is deep without shallow water plants isn’t as likely to attract them because it doesn’t offer places to hide or easily lay their eggs.

Mandy asks…

what is a dragonfly’s natural habitat?

dragonfly natural habitat

Dragonfly Lore answers:

They are very active around bodies of water, likes lakes and rivers. Nymphs develop under water, and larval stages can last for 1 month to 5 years.

William asks…

how many different types of dragonflies are there?

How many types of dragonflies are there? What is the most likely habitat for them?

What country has the most?

Dragonfly Lore answers:

The actual number of described species of Suborder Anisoptera (dragonflies) at this time is 2,874.

The Suborder Zygoptera (damselflies) consists of about 2,698 species.

The Suborder Anisozygoptera contains only 2 species.

All three species are in the suborder of odonates totaling 5,574. This number is constantly changing, with new species being found and described and (as happens in taxonomy) similar species being combined into a single species.

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Your Questions About Attract Dragonflies

John asks…

How to attract Dragonflies to your Garden?

I was wondering how to attract Dragonflies to your Garden.
What plants are used to attract them, Also water features, is it running water or stagnant? If stagnant, will this bring problems of mosquitoes?

Dragonfly Lore answers:

A pond and the usual water plants to surround it – rushes, iris etc. Water lilies in the pond. You will also get frogs, toads etc…..

Yes, stagnant water will attract mosquitoes, but in a pond the frogs, fish, dragonflies, etc. will eat most of them. To avoid mosquitoes, you could use an inexpensive pump or filter to keep the water moving.

Sharon asks…

How do I build a water garden for wildlife (not a pond) just a damp area with ferns etc to attract dragonflies

I would like the area to be attractive and peaceful to myself other people and also to wildlife in general. The area I have in mind already has ferns, arum lillies and iris. I have a vision of pebbles and just a little water but not with fountains or waterfalls. Something that is cost conscious would be great! The area is about 2m x 3m with the plants mentioned already positioned around the edge. Any ideas anyone how to tackle this?

Thanks for any help offered.

Dragonfly Lore answers:

What you are thinking of is a bog garden. I’ve built a few of them and they are easy and inexpensive to do. They are usually built using flexible pond liner to keep the area flooded.

Rather than go into detail here, I’d suggest going to this forum….

Http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/bog/

Very helpful people here, willing to share experience.

PS – they also attract mosquitoes, keep that in mind.

Joseph asks…

What attracts dragonflies? like what food?

I need to catch a dragonfly for my bug project at school.
There are some dragonflies near my house but they only come whenever they feel like it lol.
What are some foods or something I can set out so they will be attracted to that one part so i can catch it?

Dragonfly Lore answers:

How to Catch A Dragonfly or Damselfly

http://www.ualberta.ca/~jhornung/catch.htm

Nancy asks…

Why are dragonflies attracted to water?

And what is the worst a dragonfly can do to a person? Can they bite? Sorry, i’m not that good at science…

Dragonfly Lore answers:

Dragonflies are harmless to humans. They eat mostly other insects, like mosquitoes. They hang around water a lot as much of their food also lives near water and as mentioned already, dragonflies lay their eggs in water. The eggs hatch out nymphs that live in the water for years as aquatic predators, hunting the larvae of other insects (again, mosquito larvae are common prey) and even catch tadpoles and tiny fish.

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Your Questions About Water Gardens

Susan asks…

Water Gardens?

I have a series of 3 small fish ponds, i put goldfish “feederfish” in them every spring and then catch the survivors and bring them inside for the winter.

Can i add frogs (tadpoles) to the ponds or will they eat the fish?

Dragonfly Lore answers:

Yes, and no. I have bullfrogs, too.They are insect eaters.

Ken asks…

What is a good web site for building water gardens and water falls?

Any advice on books and web sites for water gardens and water falls would be very helpful.

Dragonfly Lore answers:

Try: www.gardengatemagazine.com
They have an online extra that has some info.

Or: www.bhg.com

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Organic Pest Control – Resolve Your Problem Naturally

2008-09-20- 356_1 Dragonfly on wing (London We...

Image by Martin-James via Flickr

Organic Pest Control

We’re all searching for ways to live in a more earth-friendly fashion. But when it comes to gardening, it’s difficult to find out how to kill or prevent garden pests in a safe way.

Organic pest control has come a long way, and we’re lucky to have many more effective tools to resolve this problem.

Create Natural Barriers

Picking off grubs and other critters by hand is an easy way to reduce your pesky problem. You can also build many types of barrier environments which entrap the insects. Plugging holes is also fundatmental.

Snails can be caught hiding in damp places under rocks and towards the base of plants with straplike foliage. Simply exploring your garden and adjacent areas for potential insect hideaways is one of the most useful forms of organic pest control.

Use Biological Control

Encourage predatory insects such as green lacewings and dragonflies to feed on aphids and other pests that attack your plants. You can do this by placing a shallow bowl of water in the garden.

Beneficial insects such as dragonflies will hover around water. Bacterial insecticides such as B. thuringiensis could also be used against caterpillars. (more…)


Natural Pools and Their Advantages

A typical swimming pond in Summer

Image via Wikipedia

Imagine you have come back home after a tough day at work place. You want something that can help you feel fresh and rejuvenated. What would you do?

Well! You can turn to a pond dispersed with water lilies; jump into it amidst chirping of birds, sounds of some whirring dragonflies, and a mild air blowing across. In no time, you become a part of this beautiful scenery – swimming and enjoying every bit of it.

Sounds exciting? You can experience the same with a natural pool at your backyard.

A natural pool lets you to indulge in harmless fun – far from any hint of abrasive chemicals touching your body. The concept of natural pools, evidently, is growing in popularity among people who love swimming and always want to be in tandem with nature.

Now, if you also have started thinking about building a natural pool at the backyard of your home, here is a detail on some advantages that greet you with your immediate possession: (more…)