Mosquitoes’ Natural Enemies

If you are looking for a natural method of reducing the number of mosquitoes around your home and garden, plants are always a great solution. Strongly scented choices such as citronella, lavender or eucalyptus may be quite helpful.

However, there are also some living creatures which act as greatly natural predators towards these flying buzzers. Yes, there are indeed some animal species which love feeding on mosquitoes. Obviously, not all of them can be added to your home environment, but some certainly can. So, if you are wondering what mosquitoes’ natural enemies are, we have done the job for you and have gathered them all at one handy place.  

What Eats Mosquitoes?

There is a whole wide range of living creatures which can eat mosquitoes as part of the natural selection. These can include both aquatic and terrestrial animal species, with some being more efficient than others. On top of that, some are great at fighting adult mosquitoes off, while some specific choices may be greatly helpful in killing their larvae before they even get the chance to bite you and your family members.  

• Related: How to Kill Mosquitoes?

That said, let us have a look at those species which are quite efficient in reducing the presence of mosquitoes around modern homes.

What Animals Eat Mosquitoes?

As just mentioned, there are many animal species which are great at killing mosquitoes. Some of them are more suitable to be around people, but others not that much. Apart from some birds, bugs and fish which we will describe in a just a few lines, here is a brief list of other helpful creatures:

Bats

Even though bats prefer some larger types of insects as their favorite meals, they are well-known for adding mosquitoes to their usual diet. Therefore, go bats! A great advantage which these flying mammals offer is being mostly active during nighttime, which is when mosquitoes are buzzing the most. This perfect timing makes them a great companion in fighting mosquitoes off, even if they will not kill that many of them.  

You probably do not want bats as your garden pets, but your neighbors would perhaps agree on setting some nice bat houses around local poles or barns. They can be decorative and would not be a huge responsibility for anyone. On the other side, however, bats are greatly convenient to have around, as they not only kill mosquitoes but also many other insect species which can be harmful both to humans and their gardens.

Turtles

Some omnivorous turtle species are considered to feed quite happily on mosquitoes, and red-eared sliders are on top of such list. Plus, they can become quite an amazing pet, so do not think twice of adopting some if you have an issue with mosquitoes.

Depending on the area where you live in and your environmental conditions, you may keep your red-eared sliders either indoors or outdoors. Or you may move them seasonally from your summer garden pond back to their terrarium.

Frogs & Tadpoles

If you have any source of water around your garden or backyard, adding some frogs or tadpoles may help you a lot in having less mosquitoes around. Also, they feed not just on adult insects, but they will happily hunt their larvae down, too. Such combinations may become extremely efficient in getting rid of mosquito presence.

If you have the opportunity of adopting some typically North American tadpoles, particular species such as giant tree frogs or green tree frogs are famous for being amazing mosquito eaters.

What Birds Eat Mosquitoes?

Most small to medium-sized birds feed on insects, so it should not come as a big surprise to find out that they like eating mosquitoes, too. Similar as with frogs, birds will usually feed both on adult mosquitoes as well as their larvae. Indeed, they love flying around water areas in a constant look out for tasty snacks, so it really is good to have these helpful creatures around.

Migratory songbirds, swallows and ducks are all great mosquito-eating options, but one of the most popular species is certainly the purple martin. If you are looking to attract these beautiful fliers around your garden, you can simply setup a suitable wooden home for them, and to place it high above the ground. But be careful, purple martins can also kill some helpful bugs.

What Bugs Eat Mosquitoes?

Dragonflies are among those options which could solve your mosquito problem at the best possible outcome, as they love specifically targeting mosquitoes thanks to their tiny size. However, the story is two-sided.

• Related: Which Flies Eat Mosquitoes?

If you are looking to attract dragonflies to your garden, you should basically re-create the exact same conditions which mosquitoes need. This could, consequentially, lead to even more mosquitoes around. Therefore, options like these are better to avoid.

What Fish Eat Mosquito Larvae?

And finally, fish are an excellent way of controlling mosquitoes, as they feed directly on their larvae, leaving them no chance of becoming adults and breeding any further. Therefore, if you have the space, feel free to add as many fish as you like. Guppies, koi fish, goldfish and catfish are all great at keeping mosquito larvae at a low number. However, the gambusia fish is the most famous mosquito eater ever. Moreover, it is often referred to as the western mosquitofish.

Depending on the climate type which you live under and the water sources which you own in your garden, you may add either one or multiple species of the above-mentioned fish. And they will all help in controlling mosquitoes.

Wrapping Up

Mosquitoes can be a real nuisance during summertime, especially if you live nearby some water sources. And if you live in those parts of the world where they can transfer deadly viruses, they can present a real life threat sometimes. Luckily, there are several natural options in fighting them off, and some of them include living creatures.

Whether you decide to add some new helpful pet to your home collection, or if you simply plan on attracting some wild species nearby, less mosquitoes are guaranteed.