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Supporting bees but not mosquitos #878879

Asked July 26, 2024, 11:35 AM EDT

I would like to support my local bees by providing a water station for them. I’ve read that mosquito donuts do not harm bees or bee larva. Is that correct? If I put a mosquito donut in the bee water station, are the bees and hives still safe?

Kent County Michigan

Expert Response

Hello Ramona

Studies have shown that the active ingredient in mosquito dunks that use Bacillus thuringiensissubsp. israelensis (Bti) is “minimally toxic to bees”. So, check the product you use and be sure it is using Bti to control the larvae.

See item 9 in https://www.epa.gov/mosquitocontrol/bti-mosquito-control

And this— “There are pesticides that will not harm bees, but will kill mosquitoes, says William Kern, associate professor of urban entomology at the University of Florida/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center.

“The larvaciding materials Methoprene should have very little impact on honey bee colonies and no mortality on adult honey bees. Bti, a biological pesticide, has no impact on honey bees,” Kern said. “The problem comes from the use of adulticides like Naled, pyrethrin, or resmethrin, that will kill exposed bees.”

From https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2016/09/13/ufifas-researchers-share-safest-ways-to-spray-for-zika-mosquitoes-protect-bees/

You can also empty the container and put in fresh water every 24 hours, since it takes 24-48 hours for larvae to hatch.

https://www-aes.tamu.edu/files/2010/05/MosquitoLifeCycle.pdf

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