When most people think about pests in their Delta, BC backyard, they probably don’t think about dragonflies. In fact, dragonflies are one of the insects you may want to welcome around your property.
These fast, fascinating insects are natural predators that feed on a wide variety of smaller insects—including mosquitoes. Their presence can be a sign that your backyard supports a healthy and active ecosystem.
At Go Green Pest Control, we believe good pest management isn’t always about getting rid of every insect you see. Sometimes, the best approach is understanding which insects are beneficial and allowing nature to do some of the work.
Dragonflies Are Natural Predators
Dragonflies are exceptional hunters. As adults, they catch flying insects in mid-air, using their incredible eyesight, speed and maneuverability.
And mosquitoes are on the menu.
Health Canada lists dragonflies among the natural predators that provide some control of mosquito populations.
Research has also found that dragonfly and damselfly larvae can consume significant numbers of mosquito larvae in aquatic environments. A 2023 meta-analysis of 31 studies found that an individual dragonfly or damselfly nymph consumed an average of about 40 mosquito larvae per day under experimental conditions.
That makes dragonflies an interesting part of nature’s own pest-management system.
1. Dragonflies Help Control Mosquitoes
Perhaps their biggest benefit to homeowners is their appetite for mosquitoes.
Adult dragonflies hunt insects while flying, while their young—called nymphs or naiads—live in water and prey on aquatic organisms, including mosquito larvae.
This means dragonflies can interact with mosquitoes at different stages of their life cycle.
However, it’s important to keep expectations realistic. Dragonflies aren’t a replacement for professional mosquito management when mosquito populations are high. They are best viewed as one helpful component of a larger, natural ecosystem.
2. They Eat Other Flying Insects Too
Mosquitoes aren’t the only insects dragonflies hunt.
Dragonflies are generalist predators and can feed on a variety of small flying insects. This makes them valuable predators within the backyard food web.
Their presence can therefore contribute to a more balanced ecosystem rather than targeting just one type of pest.
3. Dragonflies Are Completely Natural Pest Control
One of the best things about dragonflies is that they don’t require you to spray anything.
They hunt naturally.
They don’t need traps, chemicals or special equipment. They’re simply part of the local ecosystem, doing what dragonflies have evolved to do.
For homeowners interested in environmentally responsible pest management, encouraging beneficial insects can complement other prevention strategies.
4. Dragonflies Are a Sign of a Healthy Ecosystem
Dragonflies spend part of their lives in water, so having them around can indicate that your property or surrounding environment provides suitable habitat.
Their aquatic nymphs are important predators in freshwater ecosystems, and dragonflies can also serve as indicators of environmental conditions.
In Delta, where wetlands, waterways, drainage areas and other aquatic habitats are part of the landscape, it’s not surprising to encounter these remarkable insects.
5. Don’t Mistake Dragonflies for a Pest
Sometimes homeowners see a large number of insects flying around their property and immediately assume they’re dealing with a pest problem.
Dragonflies may look intimidating because they’re larger than many backyard insects, but they are not a pest that homeowners need to eliminate.
In fact, if you see dragonflies hunting around your yard, they’re potentially helping you by feeding on other flying insects.
6. How Can You Encourage Dragonflies?
If you’d like to see more dragonflies around your property, providing suitable natural habitat can help.
Dragonflies are associated with water during their life cycle, so ponds and other appropriate water features can provide habitat. However, homeowners should be careful not to create stagnant water that becomes a breeding site for mosquitoes.
That’s an important distinction.
You want healthy, appropriately maintained water features—not buckets, containers or stagnant puddles.
Mosquitoes can reproduce in very small amounts of standing water, and Health Canada recommends eliminating standing water around properties whenever possible.
Dragonflies and Mosquito Control: Nature Helps, But Prevention Still Matters
Dragonflies are fascinating and beneficial predators, but they shouldn’t be considered a complete mosquito-control program.
If mosquitoes are overwhelming your backyard, start by eliminating standing water. Check gutters, flowerpots, containers, toys, birdbaths, tarps, pool covers and other areas where water can collect.
The City of Delta recommends reducing mosquito breeding habitat and notes that mosquito activity can be particularly noticeable around dusk and dawn, while day-biting mosquitoes can also occur locally.
If you’re still dealing with a persistent mosquito problem, professional pest-management advice may be appropriate.
Let the Good Bugs Do Their Job
Not every insect in your backyard is an enemy.
Dragonflies are one of nature’s beneficial predators, helping keep populations of mosquitoes and other flying insects in check. Their speed, hunting ability and aquatic life cycle make them an important part of the ecosystem.
So the next time a dragonfly zooms across your backyard, don’t reach for the bug spray.
Take a moment to appreciate your little natural pest-control specialist.
Need Help With Pesky Insects?
At Go Green Pest Control, we understand that effective pest management is about more than simply eliminating insects. It’s about identifying the pest, understanding why it’s there and using responsible strategies to manage the problem.
If mosquitoes or other unwanted pests are taking over your Delta, BC property, give us a call.
Go Green Pest Control Delta, BC Phone: 778-886-4111
Go Green Pest Control — helping you manage the pests you don’t want while appreciating the beneficial insects you do.