Thank you for your purchase of B Buckets. We appreciate your ecologically-aligned and pollinator-supportive choices. We wish to offer some more detailed guidance on and recommendations for thinking about setting up your bucket system yourself. If you want our help, just reach out!
First, think about LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION
The locations of individual (and collective) buckets are important, and may require some trial-and-error decisions as you become more attentive to the mosquito activity in your yard/on your property. Typically, buckets work best when placed in areas where mosquitoes rest or breed — where they will hang out (shade) or search for water, for instance, under shrubbery, wood piles, downspouts. You also want to consider placing them around the perimeter of your property, especially if there are areas of dense growth in neighboring yards.
You do not want buckets too close to places you frequent: porches, patios, play areas. You are attracting the mosquitoes to the buckets so be sure to put them 6-10 feet away from these locations.
Be open to moving or adding buckets. In the first season of buckets in my yard, I did both.
In short, look for your vegetation and shade and consider your activity zones:
- in shady areas (away from direct sun)
- under/around bushes or woods
- areas of moisture or collecting water (downspouts, rain barrels – though you can also put Mosquito Bits® along the ground or in the barrels)
Please click this link to check out my recent blog about installing/locating buckets at our house.
Next, set them up
STEP 1 (start the decomposition), 1-2 days
At the beginning of the season (or whenever you put your bucket system out), you will want to encourage the decomposition of the plant material by filling your buckets with water (about 1/3 full if you only want to fill once) and leaving them open in the sun for 24-48 hours. Leaving them open helps the chlorine evaporate, and the decomposition will emit a little carbon dioxide to attract the female mosquitoes; the larvae eating material in the water, including Bti. Some species of mosquitoes prefer murky water.
For plant material, consider a handful of grass clippings, leaves (check them for cocoons and insects first!), so-called weeds, anything that will decompose in water. I recommend staying away from English ivy, magnolia leaves, or other waxy leaves as they don’t decompose well.
*Please put sticks in your buckets during this phase. I had wildlife get into mine in the 48 hours they were without lids. Because of the drought conditions in Atlanta right now, animals and insects are especially eager to find water and can drown in buckets without an escape route.*
STEP 2 (add Dunks)
After a day or two, you will be ready to add water as necessary (lower than the overflow holes) and partial Mosquito Dunks®.
Read the instructions for safe handling of your Mosquito Dunks®. Divide Dunks into quarters and distribute them among your buckets. Store leftover chunks in an airtight container (humidity activates them) and always away from children.
STEP 3 (add lid, and optional stick)
Cover the buckets with lids. Add a stick, which can secure into the mesh or lean against the side, to allow wayward insects and critters to climb out (sticks may not recommended for yards without curious or young humans unless you can make them invisible).
MESSAGING
Each order of buckets comes with a paper yard sign, which appropriates and counters the CAUTION signs pesticide companies leave on curbs to alert homeowners and passersby to a yard application and the necessity of staying off the area. Our WELCOME signs announce the safety of buckets, for us and for all wildlife. Please put them out to help us spread the message. For those willing to install permanent signs, we offer aluminum, weather-proof versions.
Also, please consider posting on social media and tagging us or inviting us to collaborate on your post. (@bbucketconnect on FB & IG, the latter is more active.
When you post your buckets, you can also and also enter the #mosquitobucketchallenge from @homegrownnational park. We were on their site last year. We are grateful for the recognition.
They have just reissued the challenge for 2026, with a new option to put your buckets on the map! Let’s do it!
MAINTENANCE
The most important maintenance involves replenishing Dunks (you do not need to change the water – but you might need to add some if it gets low) and eliminating standing water from other areas of your yard, especially after rains. Check your trash and recycling bins, birdbaths and planters (remember that you can add Mosquito Bits® to these — faster acting and less persistent than Dunks), downspouts and rain barrels as well as gardening centers/tools and toys/play areas.
NEXT STEPS
Look out for our reminder emails and replenish your Dunks. Thank you again for making an ecologically-sensitive choice this season.