- Dragonflies are natural predators to the mosquitoes and other smaller insects like flies. Why do you need to protect yourself from mosquitoes and tips on how to attract dragonflies and turn your garden into a dragonfly sanctuary.
Mosquitoes make everything worse. We no longer crave hot summer nights. Why? Mosquitoes. They are everywhere. Truth is, mosquitoes can make you sick.
Danger caused by mosquito bites
Zika virus
Mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus “hunt down” their victims during the day. That’s why you should repel mosquitoes throughout the day and night. The Zika virus causes fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes.
West Nile virus
1 in 5 sufferers has a fever and other symptoms. Stats show that the virus causes serious symptoms, affecting 1 in 150 people.
Chikungunya virus
The virus has been affecting people in the US since 2013. It causes fever, joint pain, headache, muscle ache, and rash. The recovery process ends in a week, but patients treat joint pain for a few months.
Dengue
Doctors treat about 400 million people with dengue each year. About 1 in 4 infected people develop serious symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, rash, and pain. The symptoms disappear in 2-7 days.
Malaria
About 1,700 people deal with malaria each year in the US. It causes fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms. Malaria can develop into a serious ailment if not treated properly.
Repel mosquitoes
DEET products have been used since forever. However, you may want to consider using natural repellents. Dragonflies!
Dragonflies prey on mosquitoes. According to a 2013 study, dragonflies control the number of mosquitoes naturally.
Attract more dragonflies to your garden
Dragonflies thrive near small streams and ponds. Adult dragonflies fly away from their homes and hunt their prey in the open air. In winter, some species hide in waters, and others go south. Dragonflies are unable to fly when temperatures drop below 65F. They thrive for several months. In optimal conditions, they thrive for a few years.
Dragonflies are carnivores and they eat mosquitoes, flies, and other small insects. Spiders, insect-eating birds, and frogs are their natural predators.
Turn your garden into a dragonfly sanctuary
Dragonflies need fresh water and plants with different heights. They need shelter to stay safe from birds. Keep frogs away from your garden too.
The following plants are a “must” when it comes to attracting dragonflies to your garden:
- black-eyed Susan
- swamp milkweed
- joe pye weed
- meadow sage
- white yarrow
- arrowhead
- wild celery
- water horsetail
- cattail
- water lily
- dwarf Sagittaria
- yarrow white wildflower
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