This $8 ‘Bucket of Doom’ trick stops mosquitoes breeding during summer – it's so simple, plus it won't harm other wildlife in the yard

I’ve always been popular with mosquitoes, particularly when I was gardening in Italy. I guess that you, too, might suffer during summer, like so many gardeners do.

If you are fed up with getting bitten, especially near still water, like a birdbath or rain barrel, you’ll forever be on the lookout for ways to get rid of mosquitoes. And while you might have tried chemical sprays and citronella candles, it can be frustrating when nothing seems to work. Step forward, mosquito dunks, and the 'Bucket of Doom' trick.

Mosquito dunks, available for only $8 now via Amazon, are a simple and cost-effective trick that can make a difference in backyards during summer. And, even better? It doesn’t harm birds, pets, frogs or bees. Simply drop the tablet in a bucket of water, and the larvae will fail to hatch. It is that easy.

What do the reviews say about mosquito dunks?

If you’re wondering whether something this simple could really work, the 33,000+ Amazon reviews with an average rating of 4.5 stars say: yes.

Chances are, wherever you live and whatever your US hardiness zones, during summer, these biting insects will be present in your plot, particularly if you have a garden pond or a rain barrel.

Gardeners swear by these little mosquito dunk tablets, which kill larvae before they hatch, and stop the mosquito life cycle in its tracks.

Reviewers love how easy they are to use, commenting that all you need to do is just drop one in standing water (your very own 'Bucket of Doom') and walk away.

One five-star review from June 2025 said: 'I can confidently say that Summit Mosquito Dunks are an absolute game-changer! These little wonders have transformed my backyard into a peaceful oasis, allowing me to enjoy my plants and patio without being constantly harassed by those buzzing, biting pests.'

The reviewer went on to say: 'What I love most about Summit Dunks is their incredible effectiveness and ease of use. Simply drop a dunk into any standing water source, bird baths, rain barrels, decorative ponds, even puddles, and let it work its magic.'

Another five-star review from June 2025 stated: 'These things are a MUST HAVE during the summer months, or any month you spend time outside! These last at least a month, and I don't have to worry about covering myself in smelly bug spray. It is a great value for what I get in return: a backyard that is safe to spend time in!'

One three-star review from July 2025, however, disagreed, saying: 'It’s hard to tell if it works or not. I’m sure it kills the mosquito larvae as intended, but my yard is still full of mosquitoes that attack me anytime I go out. This wasn’t a great solution to my mosquito problem.'

So, while the reviews are overwhelmingly positive, the mosquito dunk hack is not going to purge your yard of every single pest.

Of course, there are always going to be some (or lots) of mosquitoes that survive, but the hope is that this trick might help to reduce their numbers.

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How to use mosquito dunks

Using a mosquito dunk is as easy as it gets, and in general, there are no pest control mistakes to watch out for.

All you need to do is drop a dunk tablet into any standing water in your yard. This might be the old pond at the rear of your yard, rain barrels that are next to the greenhouse, forgotten old buckets or even an old rusty watering can that lives near the faucet.

Or, if you don't have any of these, simply source a bucket from the garden store, fill it halfway with water, drop in a dunk tablet, and you have created your very own 'Bucket of Doom'.

If the water source is small, like a bucket, you can break the tablet into quarters or halves to make it go further (or use a whole one, if you want to be sure of strength). Some reviewers complain about this, saying the dunks crumble very easily, so be careful when you are trying to do so.

Now for the science. The dunk slowly releases Bti, or Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, which is a naturally occurring soil bacterium that specifically targets mosquito larvae. They ingest it, and it stops them from developing into the biting adults that drive us all mad.

It won’t harm frogs, bees, butterflies or pets. In fact, the US Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, considers Bti as a safe pest control that is non-toxic to humans, has minimal or no impact on other insects, including honey bees, and has no detrimental impact on food crops or water supplies.

While mosquitoes aren't pests that destroy plants, they can still be very frustrating (and painful) during summer.

There are many natural techniques to repel mosquitoes, too, such as growing aromatic herbs near patio areas, as the pungent scent deters insects. So, why not fill your pots with lavender and rosemary for a fragrant and pest-proof summer?