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Dragonflies are beautiful creatures that can be beneficial to the environment as they eat mosquitoes and other pests. However, if you have an infestation of dragonflies in your home or garden, there are a few steps you can take to get rid of them. Firstly, remove any standing water sources, as dragonflies lay their eggs in water. Secondly, use a fan or air conditioning to create a breeze, as dragonflies do not like windy areas. Lastly, consider using natural repellents such as citronella or lavender to deter dragonflies. By following these tips, you can effectively reduce the number of dragonflies in your surroundings.
When it comes to insects, dragonflies are not a harmful species to have in your yard. Dragonflies do not pose any danger to humans, they can consume harmful insects, and they attract birds to your yard. However, if the abundance of dragonflies in your yard is bothersome, there are several methods to get rid of them without using pesticides or harming these beneficial insects.
Target the Insect Food Source
Instead of killing dragonflies, it is more effective to make your yard less appealing to them. For instance, dragonflies feed on mosquitoes, so eliminating them from your yard can discourage dragonflies from staying. Preventing water from accumulating in low areas of your yard can help reduce the mosquito population.
Properly taking care of your garden is also important. Dragonflies prey on many insects that can harm plants, so watering and maintaining your plants can prevent pests from entering your yard. If these pests are absent, it is likely that dragonflies will go elsewhere.
Eliminate Water Sources
Dragonflies are attracted to water, so if you have a pond, creek, or stream in your yard, you are likely to have dragonflies as well. Even if the water source is not directly in your yard, but you live near a lake, dragonflies may frequently appear in your yard. If you are determined to get rid of these winged insects, removing these water sources, if possible, can be helpful.
Introduce Natural Predators
Introducing natural predators into your yard can help eliminate dragonflies in a more natural way. For example, frogs and toads eat dragonflies, so encouraging these amphibians to inhabit your yard can address the problem. Many other forms of wildlife also feed on dragonflies, including birds, foxes, lizards, praying mantids, raccoons, robber flies, skunks, snakes, spiders, and turtles.
If you have a water source that you do not wish to remove from your property, consider adding fish to it. Certain types of pond fish are voracious predators of adult dragonflies, as well as dragonfly eggs and larvae, so maintaining a well-stocked fish population can be beneficial. Creating an attractive environment for birds with birdseed, bird houses, and bird-friendly plants, as well as providing water sources like birdbaths, can also help. Bird species that prey on dragonflies include ducks, falcons, flycatchers, herons, kingfishers, kites, sandpipers, and swallows.
Additional Tips for Dealing with Dragonflies
If you have a backyard pond, clean it regularly to prevent dragonfly larvae from developing into mature insects. Dragonfly nymphs are typically found on underwater plants, so removing these plants can be helpful as well.
Keeping the area around a water source that cannot be removed clean and clear may also reduce the number of dragonflies. These insects need perching areas, and if there are no suitable spots, they will likely seek another location to live. Controlling insect pests as effectively as possible can reduce the food supply for dragonflies in the area. Increasing human activity in areas where there are numerous dragonflies is another potential method to decrease the dragonfly population.
