GardenDC Podcast Episode 287: The Itty Bitty Mosquito Committee

In this episode of GardenDC: The Podcast about Mid-Atlantic Gardening, we talk with Michelle Mingrone, founder of the Itty Bitty Mosquito Committee, about mosquito prevention tactics. The plant profile is on Sweet Potatoes and we share what's going on in the garden as well as some upcoming local gardening events in the What's New segment. We close out with the Last Word on "Cherry Trees from Pits" from Christy Page of GreenPrints.

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You can order Mosquito Dunks and Bits at: https://amzn.to/4fAjngr 
This link is to our Amazon affiliate account and we may earn a few pennies from these sales, but it wil not impact your purchase price.

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If you liked this episode, you may also enjoy listening to:

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 255: Expert Advice for Tick-Free Gardening

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2025/09/gardendc-podcast-episode-255-expert.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 115: The Dreaded Spotted Lanternfly

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2022/08/gardendc-podcast-episode-115-dreaded.html

~ GardenDC Podcast Episode 198: Rats and Other Destructive Critters

https://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2024/06/gardendc-podcast-episode-198-rats-and.html

Show Notes will be posted after 6/11/2026.

This episode is archived at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0pZddO8GkSaHtC7ABszyWD?si=SkwMO0OuRc-rgzyDyZZcpA

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Episode Credits:
Host and Producer: Kathy Jentz

Music: Let the Sunshine by James Mulvany

PIN THIS FOR LATER!

You can order Mosquito Dunks and Bits at: https://amzn.to/4fAjngr 
This link is to our Amazon affiliate account and we may earn a few pennies from these sales,

 but it wil not impact your purchase price.

Win Mosquito Dunks® and more in the July 2021 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest

For our July 2021 Washington Gardener Magazine Reader Contest, Washington Gardener is giving away a kit containing one 6-pack of Mosquito Dunks®, one bag of Mosquito Bits, 1 pint (concentrate) of Summit Year-Round Spray Oil, and one hose-end spray bottle of Summit Caterpillar & Webworm Control to one lucky winner.

   To prevent mosquitoes from breeding in places where water collects (including ponds, bird baths, animal watering troughs, gutters, ditches, drainage pipes, and rain barrels), you can use a sustained-release mosquito control product such as Mosquito Dunks that contains BTI to kill mosquito larvae. BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) is a bacterium that kills mosquito larvae naturally before they can become disease-spreading adults.

   To enter to win a 6-pack of Mosquito Dunks, bag of Mosquito Bits, pint (concentrate) of Summit Year-Round Spray Oil, and hose-end spray bottle of Summit Caterpillar & Webworm Control, send an email to WashingtonGardenerMagazine@gmail.com by 5:00pm on Saturday, July 31, with “Mosquito Bits-Dunks” in the subject line. In the body of the email, tell us what your favorite article was in the July 2021 issue and why. Include your full name and mailing address. The winners will be announced by August 2. 

UPDATE:

The contest prize pack winners are Madeline Caliendo of Washington, DC.

Congratulations, Madeline!

DIY: Mosquito Trap Water Garden

Mosquitos can make gardening in summer miserable. To cut down on their population, make a few of these "traps" for them to lay their eggs in. This won't kill existing mosquitos, but it will eliminate some of the next generations by diverting their egg-laying activities.

1. Select a water-holding container and fill it with rain water. 

2. Add Mosquito Bits or a Mosquito Dunk. (Bits will need to be replaced weekly, while the Dunk should last about a month.)  Note that Mosquito Bits/Dunks contain BTI, a bacteria toxic only to mosquito larvae, which is not harmful to people, wildlife, plants, fish, or pets. 

3. Add chopped up grass or a few weeds to the water and stir. Studies show the mosquitos are more attracted to breed in water with a bit of plant decay in it, rather than totally clear water or very dirty water. (Who knew they were so picky!?!)

4. Add a decorative element to the water garden. You can put in floating water plants like Water Lettuce or Water Hyacinth. You could add stones or pebbles, if it is a clear or shallow container. You can float cut flowers in it like this gorgeous example from Chanticleer Garden.

Thanks to Peg Bier of Merrifield Garden Center for the original idea. I have been experimenting and perfecting on it all this summer.

This is a monthly blog series on DIY projects for the beginning home gardener. Look for the other installments in this DIY blog series by putting "DIY" in the search box here at washingtongardener.blogspot.com. 

Creating an Oasis in Your Garden Talk

On Saturday, June 16, from 10–11:30am, I'll be speaking at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria, VA, on "Water in the Landscape: Creating an Oasis in Your Garden."

Water features and water gardens can be magical additions to your landscape. They can stimulate or calm, sustain native wildlife, and mask ambient noise. Washington Gardener Magazine and Water Garden Journal editor Kathy Jentz explains the basics of installing and maintaining a water feature of any size in your garden and highlights water garden plant choices appropriate for our region.

And no, having a water garden doesn't breed mosquitoes! As a matter of fact, quite the opposite -- water features can be great mosquitoes deterrents. Find out more at my talk.

Fee: $18/person. Code 290 286 0301. Register at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes or call 703-642-5173. Out-of-county registrants, add $2 for programs.