Attract Dragonflies to Your Pond and Garden
Dragonflies are often called “mosquito hawks” and are one of mosquitoes' biggest predators. Dragonflies and damselflies are important insects that help balance your outdoor ecosystem. In the spring and summer, mosquitoes can become a big nuisance in the backyard, making it hard to spend time outside and in the garden. Instead of using insecticides, you can turn your pond into a dragonfly haven and curb your mosquito population naturally. Find out how to attract dragonflies to your pond and yard.
Why Dragonflies?
These insects come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. Like butterflies, they’re relaxing to watch zip about your yard. While they may look aggressive as they speed around munching mosquitoes, they’re harmless to people and pets. Dragonflies and damselflies do not sting or bite. These bugs have a healthy appetite, feasting on not only pesky mosquitoes but also flies like horseflies, deer flies, and gnats.
Dragonfly Fun Facts
A single dragonfly can eat hundreds of mosquitoes each day. Sometimes they hunt insects in packs, called swarms, but they can also hunt solo. Dragonflies catch their prey mid-air using their legs to form a basket. They’re expert fliers and can zoom up and down, even hovering like a helicopter. Reaching speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, these bugs migrate, unless you live in a warm place like Florida. They enjoy the warm weather and will fly hundreds of miles for the perfect warm spot.
The Life Cycle of Dragonflies
The best way to attract dragonflies to your yard is to create a pond. Dragonflies lay their eggs in water or mud. Some will lay their eggs under floating plants. Dragonflies breed in late spring and summer. It takes anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks for the eggs to hatch into nymphs. The nymph stage is the longest stage of their life. They stay in the nymph stage for anywhere from five months to two years. The nymph stage is aquatic; they spend this part of their life entirely in the pond. Nymphs eat mosquito eggs and larvae. Submerged plants provide a place for the nymphs to hide from predators. At the end of the nymph stage, the nymphs molt and climb out of the water.
The Perfect Dragonfly Water Feature
While some dragonflies will lay their eggs in shallow water if there are no other options nearby, many prefer deeper water. Shallow standing water is the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. An ideal pond for a dragonfly is at least two feet deep, with shallow edges, lots of plants, around 30 percent shade, and no fish. You can create a DIY water feature that attracts dragonflies to your lawn with an in-ground or above-ground pond, or even a container fountain with a gentle water feature. The shallow edges make it easier for dragonflies to lay their eggs. Dragonflies enjoy perching on plants that grow out of the water, as they scope the area for food and potential mates. Light colored rocks around the pond create the perfect place to bask in the sun.
Fish and Fountains
A fish-filled pond with a robust waterfall is not an ideal spot for a dragonfly to lay its eggs because the fish are their predators. Many fish will eat dragonfly eggs and small nymphs.
A gentle water feature, such as a trickling streamlet, fountain, or spitter, is less disruptive to the surface water. A powerful water feature, such as a roaring waterfall, can agitate the water too much and make it difficult for dragonflies to lay eggs.
Aquatic and Landscape Plants
Variety is important when planting in and around your pond. Plants of all different heights are essential for dragonflies around the edge of the pond. Leaves and plants that stick out of the water are perfect for egg laying and hunting. Floating plants provide another egg-laying option for adults. Submerged plants are the ideal hiding spot for nymphs. Emergent and marginal plants help the larvae leave the water when they’re molting into adults and create a perch for the adults. Plants are also helpful for attracting other small bugs for dragonflies to feed on. Ideally, a dragonfly pond should have a diverse selection of native plants in and around the pond for local bugs.
Dragonflies are an important insect to attract to your yard. They’re fun to watch fly and have a healthy appetite. Dragonflies feast on pesky bugs like mosquitoes, flies, and gnats. Fish may eat dragonfly eggs and nymphs, so it’s best to have a separate dragonfly pond. Powerful water features that agitate the water make it difficult for dragonflies to lay their eggs, so gentle water features are ideal for a dragonfly pond. A variety of pond plants creates the perfect space for nymphs and adults, and attracts local bugs for the adult dragonflies to eat. A DIY dragonfly pond can be anything from an in-ground pond to a mini above-ground pond.
