Keep Mayflies Away this Season using Clever Tricks

As the weather warms up, you may notice pesky swarms of mayflies invading your backyard. Getting rid of these delicate-looking insects can be tricky, but we have some clever tricks up our sleeves to keep mayflies at bay without harming beneficial pollinators.

Read on to learn how to break the mayflies' breeding cycle, repel them naturally, enlist help from garden allies, and more. With a bit of strategic planning, we can outsmart these seasonal pests.

Use Specialized Mayfly Traps

One of the most effective ways to control mayflies is by using pheromone traps designed specifically to lure and capture them. Unlike harsh chemical pesticides that also kill helpful insects, these traps target only mayflies.

Special pheromones in the traps mimic mayfly mating scents. This draws swarms of mayflies directly into the containers where they become trapped. Popular options include the Stinger Mayfly Trap and the Mayfly Magnet Plus.

For best results, place several traps around water sources, trees with lighting, and areas where you notice large congregations hovering. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to maximize the traps' performance throughout spring and summer.

Eliminate Mayfly Breeding Grounds

Mayflies lay their eggs in fresh, stagnant water sources like ponds, Birdbaths, clogged rain gutters, and other spots where water collects and stands still. Draining these sites disrupts their breeding cycle which can significantly reduce their numbers.

Check your property for piles of wet leaves, puddles, unattended pet water bowls, flowerpot plant trays, toys, and other objects that can hold water. Eliminate the standing water therein or place mosquito dunks to kill larvae while preserving helpful pollinators.

You can also install a pond aerator or fountain for constant water movement. This deters egg-laying female mayflies who prefer still surfaces. Moving water also decreases algae upon which mayfly nymphs feed.

Objects to Remove That Hold Water

• Flowerpots
• Buckets
• Old tires
• Clogged gutters
• Tarps
• Toys
• Pet water bowls

Apply Organic and Natural Repellents

When mayfly swarms descend, several natural repellents can encourage them to move along without causing environmental harm. These options utilize smells the insects dislike to disrupt their feeding and reproduction.

Many gardeners report great success using essential oils like peppermint, citronella, eucalyptus and lemon grass as mayfly deterrents. Mix a few drops into a spray bottle with water and mist infested areas.

Botanical insecticides made from neem oil or garlic extract also effectively chase away mayflies. Concentrated versions connect to garden hoses for easy application across large outdoor spaces like patios and lawns.

Always follow instructions carefully and reapply after heavy rains. The residue from these organic solutions will gradually degrade leaving no toxic chemicals behind.

Encourage Natural Predators in Your Area

While they might seem delicate, mayflies form a vital part of freshwater food chains. Fish, frogs, salamanders, and birds all feast on these insects. Dragonflies also inject eggs with their eggs to consume the larvae from inside.

By providing habitat for these natural predators, we can Strike a healthier balance with reduced midge swarms. Place birdhouses and bat boxes around your property and landscape with plants that attract helpful wildlife.

If you have an outdoor pond or water feature, introduce small fish who will gobble up mayfly nymphs and adults while leaving other insects and larvae alone. Adding a pond fountain or waterfall also invites frogs and dragonflies.

Time Outdoor Activities to Avoid Peak Activity

Mayflies swarm most actively in the evenings around nightfall seeking mates. Their numbers also spike again right before dawn. By rescheduling outdoor living to avoid these times, encounters with mayflies drop dramatically.

Plan barbecues, dinners on the patio, yard playtime, and gardening during late mornings through late afternoons instead. Midday heat actually deters mayflies so you can enjoy a pest-free lunch on the deck.

Likewise postpone nighttime activities until an hour or two after dusk once swarms dissipate. This includes walks around the neighborhood, stargazing, or reading on the porch. Heading indoors briefly sidesteps the evening mayfly rush.

Maintain a Healthy, Well-Kept Lawn

A vibrant green lawn with dense, lush turf creates an unfavorable environment for mayflies to take up residence. Grass absorbs moisture well, eliminating puddles of standing water.

A healthy lawn also supports more centipedes, beetles, ants, worms, and other macroorganisms. These mini predators feast on mayfly larvae and eggs in the soil disrupting their life cycle.

Mow, water, aerate, and fertilize lawn areas regularly to promote growth. Rake up thatch buildup and leaves that can smother grass. Reseed any bare patches which can allow weeds and collect water.

As a bonus, lush grass also protects soil better from garden pesticides and fertilizers entering waterways. This prevents algae overgrowth and water pollution tied to mayfly population spikes.

Lawn Care Tips to Deter Mayflies

• Mow grass to 3-4 inch height
• Water early morning 1-2 times per week
• Aerate compacted areas annually
• Apply slow-release fertilizer twice per year
• Overseed bare patches
• Top dress with compost

Employ Further Natural Pest Controls

Several other natural solutions complement essential oils, habitat modification, and healthy lawn care to give mayflies the boot.

Plant garlic, chives, mint, basil, lavender, marigolds , or other companion plants known to repel insects. You'll reap tasty herbs and vibrant blooms in addition to driving away mayflies.

Install lightweight row cover fabric over vegetable gardens to create a physical barrier. The fabric allows airflow, light, and water penetration but selectively keeps hungry insects out.

Use oscillating outdoor fans to create an uncomfortable environment and strong breeze. The weak-flying mayflies struggle to swarm properly in heavy winds.

Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth across soil surfaces in garden beds, under shrubs, and around structure foundations where mayflies shelter. The microscopic fossilized shells fatally scratch soft mayfly bodies on contact.

Partner with Local Government on Conservation

Since mayfly populations closely relate to water quality and land management decisions, public involvement plays a key role. Attend town meetings or volunteer for local conservation initiatives centered on topics like:

• Waterway/wetland restoration
• Tree buffers along water's edge
• Rain garden installation
• Water quality testing
• Watershed assessments
• Public education programs

Reducing nutrient runoff into water bodies that produces algae prevents conditions that allow mayfly numbers to explode. Slowing water flow through vegetation also limits egg-laying sites.

With some clever planning, we can keep pesky mayflies at bay when they emerge this season without dousing the yard in toxic chemicals. Natural traps, breeding disruption, timing adjustments, and boosting predators provide an eco-friendly multi-pronged approach.

Implement two or three of these simple tricks to take back your yard so everyone can enjoy long summer days outdoors again free of annoying swarms. Within a season or two, you'll strike a better balance for people and wildlife alike.