Mosquito dunks?

[whygreenberg]

Hello there all!

Anyone ever used mosquito dunks before and could testify to whether or not they work? Are a good thing/bad thing around orchids?

Isn't a problem yet, but I'm thinking ahead for the summer. Where I am in Brooklyn, we get TONS of mosquitoes, and unfortunately, they are always invading my apartment. Am thinking they might take an unfortunate liking to my humidity trays...

Plus, I just really hate them. Is it bad to say that the day before Earth Day?

[gerneveyn]

I think they work. At our last orchid society meeting, we were talking about collecting rainwater, and someone mentioned that they used the mosquito dunks. Another person swore by a drop of Dawn.

[whygreenberg]

I do like the idea of using a biological control instead of chemicals...

[AHAB]

works great!
AHAB

[caseydoll]

I have read before that it also works great on fungus gnats. You have to break it up in some water and then you can water your orchids with it. I have tried it before with no ill effects. I also worked at a pet and garden center and they seemed to be very popular so I'm sure they work well.

[Jerry Delaney]

They will work great to keep the mosquito population down. They contain a bacterial spore/toxin/crystal of Bacilus thurengsis var isralinsis. I don't know about fungus gnats Sarah. I do know that it is effective for Black Fly larvae as well as mosquitoes, so it's possible. I think I would try some of the insect pathogenic nematodes for the gnats (Stinernema feltiae). Both of the above are completely harmless for mammals, birds, fish etc. as well as other insects.

[Ray]

They are quite effective on mosquitos and are apparently quite innocuous to other critters. I too, have heard they are great for ridding your pots of fungus gnats, but recommend avoiding that.

Fungus gnats are present because there is fungus for their larvae to eat. Fungus grows on decomposing organic tissue, such as potting media components. Their presence indicates you have a problem with your potting medium, so they are something like the canary in the coal mine. Would killing the canary mean "all is well"?

[Jerry Delaney]

Originally Posted by Ray

They are quite effective on mosquitos and are apparently quite innocuous to other critters. I too, have heard they are great for ridding your pots of fungus gnats, but recommend avoiding that.

Fungus gnats are present because there is fungus for their larvae to eat. Fungus grows on decomposing organic tissue, such as potting media components. Their presence indicates you have a problem with your potting medium, so they are something like the canary in the coal mine. Would killing the canary mean "all is well"?

I am not sure I totally agree, with that Ray. I am certainly no mycologist, but there are certain fungi that are chemotrophic and could probably obtain their nourishment from the fertilizer used for the orchids. I haven't the slightest idea if these fungi might be present in a potting mix that is not breaking down or, if so, would attract fungus gnats. I do know that fungus gnats can be a pain in the posterior in the green house and can't even guess what a pain they might be in one's home. Anyway, I've been known to kill the canary once of twice in my life time. Yum! Delicious!!!

[whygreenberg]

Looks like I may be much less annoyed come late summer this year!

Ray...totally agree w/ your position on the fungus gnats.

Thank you all!

[orchids3]

I use mosquito dunks disolved in my fertilizer tank. It doesnt hurt anything certainly and seems to help keep away the crawly critters. The dunks turn into little chips which clog my spray nozzles - so I put them in an old sock to keep that from happoning. Does not seem to kill bush snail - unfortunately.