Mosquito Predators
Voracious baby barn swallows photo from Wikipedia.
We have been getting a lot of rain recently. It began with the Hurricane Alex a week or so ago. Even though the hurricane was a long way away, it dumped inches of heavy rain on us. Now we are experiencing the typical afternoon thunderstorm during the hot days of summer. The rain is a very welcome change from last year’s drought.
However, rain brings an unwanted pest. The first three stages of a mosquito’s life is aquatic; therefore, mosquitoes appear in droves after a rain shower. You can help control a mosquito problem by removing stagnant water around your home. Emptying out buckets, old tires, or anything that collects water helps to make your yard unsuitable for mosquitoes.
In an article, “Anything Bugging You?,” I describe another easy way to deter mosquitoes with a common liquid found in most bathrooms. My family has had success with this remedy, but you must spray the air with Listerine. I know someone who sprays the ground instead and has not had near the success that I have.
Despite the rain this summer, I began wondering where all the mosquitoes were. I can stand in my garden at dusk after watering it and not get one mosquito bite. We can sit outside under our front porch and not see one of these disease-carrying insects. I truly thought mosquitoes had not come out yet.
However when I went to neighbor’s house, they were working in their garden. They were constantly swatting at their legs and arms. They complained about how bad the mosquitoes were this year. It was the first time that I was bitten by one this summer. Now I was completely puzzled.
My dad came over to my house one afternoon. He commented on how many barn swallows were flying around my house. I said, “Oh yeah, they come every year and raise to sets of baby birds under my porch.” They build a nest that clings to the porch. It looks like it is made from mud. The mother and father swallow work themselves to death constantly bringing the insatiable young food.
My dad showed me that there were more than two swallows flying through the air in my yard. I walked around my house and noticed that at least four families of barn swallows had chosen my home. This explained why eight swallows were swooping, dancing, and darting over our heads.
The only conclusion I can draw is that these barn swallows were eating the mosquitoes as fast as they matured into adulthood. The only drawback is that the birds under my porch eave leave presents for me on the ground. It really is not that big of a deal. I just scrap it off.
I much prefer that chore than the possibility of contracting West Nile from a mosquito bite. I am sure that most birds will chow down on mosquitoes. Encourage them to call your yard home by feeding them. Perhaps, you can construct a bird house. Or in my case, allow them to build their own. As soon as they are gone, you can remove it.
Finding a predator for the pests in your life is the most natural way to fight against them. You just want to make sure that the predator does not create more problems. In this case, barn swallows are a joy compared to the mosquitoes on which they dine. I will excitedly welcome them back next year.
To read more about barn swallows, All About Birds is a good place to start.
I find this very interesting! This being our first summer back in Texas from Colorado (where there are very few bugs in general), we haven’t noticed that many mosquitos either! And we had a family of swallows (at least that’s what we though they were) in a little boot “birdhouse”! Maybe that’s why! Thanks for sharing!