Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, is a naturally occurring bacterium that kills mosquito larvae in standing pools of water, and grassy or marshy areas. Reportedly, mosquito larvae do not build up a resistance to its effects.

Effective mosquito control often relies on targeting the larvae but that strategy can include the use of dangerous chemicals.

BTI, short for Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, is a natu???(R)???AE???(R)???Urally occurring bacterium that is deadly to mosquito larvae but has no effect on other insects, animals, fish, birds or plants.

Chemical-based mosquito insecticides, and even some natural ones, are typically not target specific, so they can kill even beneficial insects such as butterflies and honeybees. In addition, insects can develop a resistance to chemical insecticides. Reportedly, there are no resistance issues with BTI, so year after year it remains an effective way to kill mosquito larvae.

Chemical insecticides used for mosquito control can also pollute water. BTI does not. In fact, many countries throughout the world have approved the use of BTI in potable water. In the U.S. the EPA has approved BTI for use in fish habitats and animal watering troughs.

BTI is the active ingredient in Mosquito Dunks???(R)???AE????, which, according to its manufacturer Summit Responsible Solutions, is the bestselling biological mosquito control in North America. The insecticide floats on water and kills mosquito larvae for up to 30 days.

After the larvae hatch in standing water treated with Mosquito Dunks???(R)???AE????, they will begin to eat the BTI contained in the product and die before reaching adulthood.

In grassy or marshy areas where the sustained release action of Mosquito Dunks???(R)???AE???? is prevented from covering the water surface, or where the mosquito population is extremely dense and a quick kill is needed, a granular form of BTI is available in a product called Mosquito Bits???(R)???AE????.

The BTI is released from the granules as soon as they come in contact with the water. Mosquito larvae are controlled within 24 to 48 hours with this method according to the manufacturer.