Zika is a concern in Florida and bromeliad plants have been singled out as potential sources of mosquitos that carry this virus.
Bromeliad plants produce a fold of leaves commonly referred to as a “tank” where water will collect.
And, several types of mosquito larvae (the young, non-flying aquatic phase), including larvae of the Aedes family of mosquitoes, which can potentially transmit Zika as flying adults, can be found in these tanks.
Inevitably, the question arises that if bromeliads can hold water, can they harbor mosquito larvae? Quite simply, the answer is yes. However, anything that holds water can hold mosquito larvae.
Subsequently, the next logical question is: Should bromeliads be removed from the landscape to get rid of aquatic mosquito habitat?
Let’s explore some facts before jumping to answer that question.
First, anything that holds water – even a bottle cap – can be a potential mosquito larvae habitat.
Pet dishes, birdbaths, toys, tires, downspouts, gutters, even other types of plants – anything that holds water can harbor mosquitos.
This is Florida, and water is generally everywhere.
Eliminating all sources of mosquito larvae is difficult, if not impossible around the house, but we can limit much of the problem by emptying standing water and not allowing it to collect in the first place.
In the same vein, eliminating bromeliads from the landscape won’t eliminate all of the mosquitos that can carry Zika.
While you can remove your bromeliads, which will eliminate one place where larvae can live in your yard, you’ll need to remove any other item where water can collect, as well.
If you can’t get rid of all of those places, why remove your bromeliads when there are ways to limit larvae potentially associated with them?
Also, keep in mind that mosquitos, as adults, fly.
So that mosquito that bites you in your yard could have come from quite a distance.
It is possible to keep our much-loved bromeliads and limit larval habitats at the same time.
Simply inspect your bromeliads every three days to seven days and either drain out any standing water with a turkey baster, tip the bromeliad if it’s in a pot, or flush out the tank with water from a hose.
Make sure the water from the tank is flushed into a dry spot so that any potential larvae will dry out and die, and not just be transferred to another body of water. You can also apply Mosquito Bits® every seven days to the bromeliad tanks.
This product is very safe for your plants and the environment – it’s made from a bacterium that specifically kills mosquito larvae. You can purchase these at a reasonable price at many garden centers, or order them online.
Professionals can use Altosid Pro-G, which is an insect growth regulator. This product can be applied to the tanks every 30 days. For both products, which are quite safe and effective, simply follow the label directions.
There are other simple and effective ways of controlling mosquitoes in your home landscape.
Eliminating your bromeliads might reduce the population a bit, but it won’t eliminate them entirely. Exercise good landscape maintenance and take a look around your yard every three days to seven days, and be sure to empty standing water anywhere you see it.
Continue to enjoy your bromeliads, but treat them like the rest of your landscape plants and maintain them properly by simply flushing out the tanks frequently or using a larvae control product.
Water and mosquitoes are part of Florida’s landscape, as are the beautiful bromeliads that grace us with splashes of color and unusual textures.
It’s easy to keep our beloved bromeliads and protect ourselves from mosquitos at the same time.
Dr. Whitney Elmore is the UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension Director and an Urban Horticulture Agent III.
Published October 12, 2016
