Description

Mosquito larvicide to kill mosquito larvae

Mosquito Dunks® from Summit are a safe, nontoxic way to control mosquitoes before they become flying, biting, disease-carrying adults. Approved for Organic Production and Gardening.

What is a Mosquito Dunk®?
A Mosquito Dunk® looks like a small, beige donut which floats on standing water. As the Dunk® slowly dissolves, it releases a bacterium which is toxic to all species of mosquito larvae.

What is the active ingredient in Mosquito Dunks®?
The active ingredient in Mosquito Dunks® is Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis. (B.t.i.). B.t.i. is a bacterium that is
deadly to mosquito larvae but harmless to other living things.

Where should Mosquito Dunks® be used?
Just float a biodegradable Mosquito Dunk® in water troughs, koi ponds, birdbaths, rain barrels or any place where water collects and remains for periods of time. When female mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water  treated with a Mosquito Dunk®, the larvae will hatch and begin to eat the B.t.i. The B.t.i. will kill the mosquito larvae before they can grow up to become biting and disease-spreading adults.

How do Mosquito Dunks® work?
While floating, a Mosquito Dunk® slowly releases a long-term biological mosquito larvicide at the water’s surface. This larvicide gradually settles in the water, and while it travels through the water it is eaten by the mosquito larvae growing there.

What kinds of mosquito larvae will a Mosquito Dunk® kill?

There are approximately 2,500 species of mosquitoes throughout the world. The B.t.i. in Mosquito Dunks® will kill the larvae of ALL SPECIES of mosquitoes.

How much water will one Dunk® effectively treat?

One Mosquito Dunk® will effectively treat 9.3 square meters (100 square feet) of surface water for 30 days or more. For less water, a portion of a Mosquito Dunk® can be used. (For breeding habitats where the Dunks® are impractical, B.t.i. is also available from Summit in a granular form called Mosquito Bits®. Eight ounces of Mosquito Bits® will treat approximately 2,000 square feet of surface water. Suitable treatment sites include swamps, fragmented puddles, trash dumps containing water, or water with a high concentration of organic material.)

Are Mosquito Dunks® safe to use around fish, birds, wildlife, pets and children?

Yes. B.t.i., the active ingredient in Mosquito Dunks®, is very target specific for mosquitoes and does not adversely affect other organisms in the water. Mosquito Dunks® are also safe for use around birds, wildlife, children and pets. The EPA has registered Mosquito Dunks® for use in animal watering troughs and fish habitats. More recently the Dunks® have been approved for use Organic Production and Gardening, under the National Organic Program guidelines.

What if my dog eats a Mosquito Dunk®?

Don’t worry. Even if your dog eats an entire Mosquito Dunk®, this will not adversely affect the animal. If an animal eats a Mosquito Dunk® or drinks water treated with a Mosquito Dunk®, it essentially gets a large dose of protein and calcium. The Dunks® are labeled for application to livestock watering troughs.

What is the shelf life of Mosquito Dunks®?

Mosquito Dunks® can be stored indefinitely because, technically speaking, the dried B.t.i. in Mosquito Dunks® is not living, viable bacteria. (The toxicant that kills mosquito larvae is actually part of the B.t.i. spore). Government Mosquito Control programs have conducted field tests where Mosquito Dunks® of eight years age were effective at killing mosquito larvae at close to equal rate as new product. Additionally, alternate wetting and drying will not reduce the effectiveness of Mosquito Dunks®.

Will storage temperatures affect the viability of Mosquito Dunks®?

The best storage condition for Mosquito Dunks® is a cool, well-ventilated place. Because B.t.i. is a bacterium, extreme cold or even freezing temperatures will not reduce the effectiveness of Mosquito Dunks®. However, prolonged exposure (more than 24 consecutive hours) to temperatures above 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees F).
may affect the efficacy of the product.

Additional information

FAQ for mosquito dunks

mosquito-dunks-faq