Earth Day 2023 was our fourth year in a row supporting EARTHDAY.ORG’s annual event, and we’re proud that we stood behind the Protect Our Species campaign to help the pollinators and creatures that keep our ecosystems thriving. To keep that legacy going, we’re continuing to raise awareness about the importance of protecting essential insects like bees, butterflies and dragonflies.
While we’ve previously shared how to build your own butterfly garden by planting jasmine, lavender, and native milkweed and wildflowers, this article lets us shine a light on how you can create the ultimate sanctuary for dazzling dragonflies.
Why Help?
Firstly, due to declining ecosystems, insects such as the Hines’s emerald dragonfly are on the U.S. List of Endangered Species. Their habitat is declining, and the long maturation process makes it difficult for them to thrive. It's important that we raise awareness before it's too late.
Secondly, dragonflies can make your garden a better place. You might have already heard about some of the natural benefits of their presence. That’s why people often wonder: Do dragonflies eat mosquitoes? One dragonfly can actually eat up to 100 mosquitos a day, which is a chemical-free method to help keep these pests at bay for you and your family. They also eat flies, termites and ants, all of which can have disastrous effects on not only your garden, but your home too.
Finally, we owe them a helping hand. Dragonflies have been around for 300 million years but are currently facing man-made threats like habitat loss, pesticide use and pollution. Anything we can do to help this important species survive in a world they’ve lived in for so long gets a tick in our books!
Where to Start
Begin with a water source. Water is the easiest way to attract dragonflies to your yard because this is where they lay their eggs. If you’re lucky enough to have a creek or pond on your property, this can be a great feature to build your garden around. If you don’t have a natural source available, consider adding a water fixture.
Next, add dragonfly plants to your yard! But what attracts dragonflies? We’re glad to help you learn what you should ask for at your local greenhouse. Fanwort, a plant that grows fully submerged in water, is a favorite amongst dragonflies as females leave their eggs on its stems and undersides. Floating plants can be another great addition because they give adult insects a place to rest and bask in the sun.
As always, it’s important to check which vegetation is native to your area when you’re looking into what plants attract dragonflies. There are several different zones around the world that foster certain flora better than others. Researching this information in advance will help make sure you don’t cause damage to the local wildlife and give you the best chance of successfully growing plants that attract dragonflies.
An Important Note
Dragonflies have been known to eat other pollinators like butterflies and bees. Therefore, it may be worth focusing on one pollinator to help within your garden. Alternatively, you can place your favorite plants to attract dragonflies away from those that bees and butterflies are drawn to — or, if you have plenty of land, create separate spaces.
And Another Thing…
If you can’t build a dragonfly garden this spring, you can still help by spreading the word with CLEAN RESERVE Skin! In previous years, this fan favorite came in a beautiful dragonfly bottle and packaging for a limited time as a reminder to you and others to protect this precious species (and we might even bring back this special edition again). Today, you can share this eco-friendly cause on social media with the hashtag #FlutterForChange or #FlutterForLife to encourage your family and friends to do the same. Now that you’ve discovered how to attract dragonflies, you can even help loved ones create their own backyard sanctuary for these gorgeous critters.
Dragonfly Haven FAQs
- Are Dragonflies Pollinators?
- This question may seem silly now, but these majestic bugs are among the lesser-known creatures that help spread pollen and promote plant growth.
- Do Dragonflies Bite or Sting?
- It can be difficult to keep track of which bugs can cause harm. So, does a dragonfly bite or sting? You’ll be glad to hear they don’t have stingers. As long as you don’t make these beautiful bugs feel threatened by catching or holding them, they won’t bite you. A dragonfly may choose to land on you — and that’s a sign of good luck. Just make sure they can always flit away.
- How Long Do Dragonflies Live?
Once they’re matured, these winged bugs can live up to eight weeks. The larvae can live as long as five years.
