How to Attract Dragonflies to your Yard & Garden

Dragonflies are one of the oldest and the largest of the insects living today. Thousands of years ago the dragondfly wingspan was over 2 feet in width! The dragonfly belongs to the insect group Odonata and these beautiful insects can be found all over the world. This is one of the beneficial insects that will eat mosquitos's and other small flying insects. Having them in our yard is not only useful in the amount of insects they eat, but they are just so interesting to watch.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pond or large water feature

1. 
    
   AN ADULT MALE DRAGONFLY

   Dragonflies can always be found around water where they find the smaller insects to eat. The female dragonfly also lays her eggs in water, starting life as small nymphs where they need areas of protection from fish, frogs and salamanders. The dragonfly nymph can spend up to 4 years in the water prior to developing their wings and leaving the water. Once airborne, the adult dragonfly only lives for a few short months.

2. 
    
   A POND WITH NECESSARY COVER FOR DRAGONFLIES

   To attract dragonflies to your yard you must have a water source, preferably a pond. Because many small insects inhabit the area around the water, like that pesky mosquito, this is where the dragonfly get's it's food. The eggs are also layed here, so a source of water is important. The dragonfly also needs areas of protection, from birds or frogs, and also from high winds, so an area of grasses or shrubbery is necessary. Since some dragonfly lay their eggs on wood, some rotting logs placed at the edge of the water is beneficial to them.

3. 
    

   Facts about dragonflies: They can fly in excess of 60 miles an hour. They have 2 main eyes which are made up of 20 to 25,000 smaller eyes. Dragonflies can lay up to 100,000 eggs at a time. They have two sets of wings with the back wings wider than the front. Dragonflies rest with their wings open, ready to fly from danger.

Tips & Warnings

• The use of pesticides or herbicide in your yard or garden area is harmful to all wildlife. The manufactured chemicals in these sprays will kill not only harmful insects and wildlife, but necessary ones as well. Please think of going organic in your yard and garden.

[pappyjag]

on 8/13/2008 Miss Dusty, Thanks for the info this was great, and yes like the squirrely mom said it did bring back alot of good memories, Great article 5 stars

[Artsyvite]

on 8/12/2008 Great information! I've always loved dragonflies & now I know how to attract them. Thanks.

[thesquirrelymom]

on 8/12/2008 Thanks for this article. I use to like to watch them when I fished as a kid. My dad calls them "witch doctors". Brought back memories!