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 setting up your bucket system yourself. If you want our help, just reach out!
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 (vegetation, wood piles), for instance, under shrubbery and near 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 MosquitoBits® along the ground or in the barrels)
SETUP
Once you have determined locations, add some organic material from your yard to your buckets: grass clippings, leaves, so-called weeds, anything that will decompose in water. (I recommend staying away from English ivy or other plants with waxy leaves as they don’t decompose well.)
Divide your MosquitoDunks® into quarters, either by breaking or cutting with gardening shears and distribute the pieces among your buckets. Store leftover pieces in an airtight container (humidity activates the dunks). Avoid contact with eyes and clothing; be sure to wash your hands (as directed by the label, included in your buckets and also here).
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 or planters, downspouts and rain barrels as well as gardening centers/tools and kids’ toys/play areas.
NEXT STEPS
As I continue to set up buckets in spring 2026, I will be adding photographs and videos with more information and details. Please check back soon. And, again, reach out with questions and concerns.
