The Mosquito Bucket Challenge
Stop the bite. Save the buzz.
Powered by Homegrown National Park
What It’s All About
Mosquito fogging kills nearly everything in your yard...except mosquitoes.
If you're working to create a thriving, biodiverse yard full of life, it doesn't make sense to kill it all with fogging!
The Mosquito Bucket Challenge is a simple, visible way to protect pollinators, birds, frogs, fireflies, and your family—without toxic sprays. By safely targeting mosquito larvae, each bucket helps save the wildlife that fogging puts at risk.
It’s safe, it's affordable, it's better for biodiversity. And it actually works.
How the Mosquito Bucket Works
Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water. This bucket gives them a place to do that, then stops them. A natural soil bacterium called Bti (found in mosquito dunks) kills the larvae before they grow up and bite. This method, sometimes called a “bucket of doom” or “mosquito tea,” creates an irresistible breeding site and then shuts it down—without harming pollinators, pets, or people.
✔ Safe for pollinators
✔ Safe for pets and children
✔ Targets mosquito breeding where it starts
What You’ll Need
- A large bucket - 5-gallon works great, but any larger container that holds water will work. See FAQs for a list of places that offer free buckets.
- Water
- A small handful of dead leaves or grass clippings (you want to make the water stinky to attract mosquitoes!)
- Mosquito dunks containing Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) - widely available online and at most hardware stores, garden centers, or home improvement retailers. Look in the pest control or outdoor garden section.
- A stick that sticks out of the bucket (so small animals can climb out if they fall in)
- Marker or paint for decorating.
How to Make It
Step 1: Write or paint “Stop the Bite. Save the Buzz.” at the top and "Homegrown National Park" at the bottom of your bucket. Optional: decorate it with some of the wildlife in your yard you're supporting.
Step 2: Fill the bucket about two-thirds full with water.
Step 3: Add a small handful of dead leaves or grass clippings (you want to make the water funky!). Leave plenty of water surface area so mosquitoes have room to land and lay eggs.
Step 4: Drop in approximately one-quarter of a mosquito dunk.
Step 5: Place a stick in the bucket so it leans out above the rim. This gives small animals an escape route if they fall in.
Step 6: Place the bucket in a shady area, away from your house, play areas, or gathering spots. Add additional buckets if you have a larger yard.
Tip: Corners of the yard or property lines often work well. Every yard is different—try a spot that stays damp and quiet.
Join the Challenge
Post a photo or video of your bucket using #MosquitoBucketChallenge.
**Don’t forget to tag us when you share.** We’ll feature some of our favorite buckets on this page and across our social channels!
Use one of these ready-to-copy captions:
Option 1
I joined the #MosquitoBucketChallenge from #HomegrownNationalPark!
This bucket attracts mosquitoes, then safely stops them before they bite.
No fogging. No sprays. No harm to bees, butterflies, fireflies, or kids.
Stop the bite. Save the buzz.
Learn how: MosquitoBucketChallenge.org
@HomegrownNationalPark
Option 2
Mosquito fogging kills everything except mosquitoes.
This bucket does it better, without harming pollinators or people.
#MosquitoBucketChallenge #HomegrownNationalPark MosquitoBucketChallenge.org
@HomegrownNationalPark
Why Not Fog?
Mosquito fogging may sound like a quick fix, but it kills nearly everything except mosquitoes.
It harms bees, butterflies, fireflies, frogs, beneficial bugs, nesting birds—and it doesn’t stop mosquitoes from breeding. Most fogging only knocks down a small percentage of adult mosquitoes, then disappears.
If you're planting native plants, supporting pollinators, or trying to create a habitat-friendly yard, fogging undoes much of that work. You're inviting life in, then wiping it out.
Mosquito buckets work better and they're affordable. They interrupt the mosquito life cycle before it gets airborne, and they leave everything else alone.
Picture 1
FAQs
Where do I get a mosquito dunk?
Mosquito dunks containing Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) are widely available online and at most hardware stores, garden centers, or home improvement retailers. Look in the pest control or outdoor garden section. One dunk can be split into multiple sections. Approximately one-quarter of a dunk is right for a 5-gallon bucket.
Is this safe for kids and pets?
Yes. Bti is non-toxic to humans and animals. Just place the bucket out of reach so it's not a drowning hazard and add a stick so small animals can escape if needed. If you'd like more info, refer to the EPA website.
How many buckets do I need?
There’s no set number. One or two is a great start for most yards. Larger properties or areas near standing water may need more. Try placing them in different shady areas and see what works best.
Where can I get free buckets?
Many businesses discard food-grade 5-gallon buckets and may be willing to give you one for free. Call ahead to check availability.
Places to try:
- Donut shops (e.g., Dunkin’, Tim Hortons)
- Fast food restaurants (e.g., Chick-fil-A, Wendy’s)
- Big box stores with bakeries (e.g., Walmart, Meijer, Sam’s Club)
- Grocery store bakeries (e.g., Kroger, Safeway)
Ask for empty icing or food ingredient buckets. They’re perfect for this project and help keep waste out of landfills.
Doesn’t this just attract more mosquitoes to my yard?
Not exactly. Mosquitoes are already in your yard, laying eggs in any bit of standing water they can find (plant saucers, gutters, toys, puddles). This bucket gives them a place to lay eggs that you control, and then it stops the larvae before they can grow up and bite.
So instead of spreading mosquito breeding across your yard, you’re concentrating it in one place...and shutting it down.
Do I need to dump the water every month?
No. Just add a new quarter dunk every 30 days - you want that water funky. If the water dries up or becomes unusable, you can rinse and restart, but regular refilling is usually enough.
Where should I dump the water when I do empty the bucket?
It's safe to empty into a garden bed or lawn.
Why should I decorate my bucket?
It’s a visible way to spread the message! The more people see these buckets around (in person and on social media), the more likely they are to ditch the fogger and try it themselves.