What can you do to prevent mosquitoes from inhabiting your bromeliad plants? The information below is courtesy of Dr. Roxanne Connelly formerly with the UF/IFAS Florida Medical Entomology Lab and currently with CDC.
There are several options:

1. Remove the plants (preferred); or
2. Apply Mosquito Bits® (a bacteria that is specific for killing mosquito larvae) every 7 days to the water-holding leaves of the plants. Follow the instructions on the package for the correct amount to apply; or
3. Apply Altosid Pro-G (methoprene, an insect growth regulator) every 30 days to the water-holding leaves of the plants. Follow the instructions on the package for the correct amount to apply; or
4. Use water to flush out the mosquitoes that may be living in the water-holding leaves. This must be done every 3—7 days to be effective. Make sure that the aquatic mosquitoes land in a dry area and that you are not just moving them from plant to plant. Removal of mosquito eggs from the plant leaves will require directed water pressure to dislodge and move them out of the plant into a dry area.

   

   

   Additional resources on mosquito management below:
   Bromeliads and Mosquitoes (Blue Background) by Dr. Roxanne Connelly, 488 KB, JPG
   Bromeliads and Mosquitoes (White Background) by Dr. Roxanne Connelly, PDF
   Mosquitoes and their Control: Integrated Pest Management for Mosquito Reduction around Homes and Neighborhoods, UF/IFAS EDIS PDF
   Mosquito Repellents, UF/IFAS EDIS PDF
   Use and Application of DEET Repellent, UF/IFAS EDIS PDF

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