Do you know if vinegar is a mosquito deterrent? I love this idea and use dwv a lot. I will start using your idea now... anything to make work smarter just makes sense. And, this is an environmentally friendly way to work.

Bonnie, I can't say if vinegar in the water deters mosquitos, but I can tell you that I haven't seen mosquito larvae squiggling around in the water before changing it out, either! Quite possibly because I do change out the water at least every other day, or more, if possible. I don't ever leave standing water in the bath for more than 3 days TOPS, though.

Vinegar in the water simply buys a day or two for busy gardeners to change out the birdbath water when time allows, and it makes for a quick and easy cleaning. ....and, yep....environmentally friendly and, best of all, it's cheap!!

I certainly do not recommend leaving standing water with vinegar in the birdbath for days on end, whatsoever!! It's not healthy for the animals, and I would venture to guess that mosquitos may be just as likely to breed in a *neglected* birdbath with vinegar in the water, as they would without vinegar in there but I'm a simple home gardener, not an Entemologist!!

Thank you for the prompt response to my question. The reason I asked is that we are being asked to turn over all bird baths and not put water in them unless we use mosquito rings. I have my bird baths on their side at the present. We are not in drought conditions so the water is used to lure the birds in and not to sustain them.

Hmmm, I don't know a thing about mosquito rings, but it would seem to me that they would be toxic for birds, or any other animals!
Well perhaps your local municipality expert could answer the question, because I really don't know if there's any scientific proof one way or the other, in regards to vinegar deterring mosquitos.....

Apparently they're wanting to control the mosquito population in your area, and understandably so!!

The mosquito rings are not supposed to be toxic for birds. I have had to use them in the past.

Good to know, Liz!

You're welcome, Dana!

Liz is correct. The mosquito rings/bits/dunks contain a bacillus that targets mosquito larvae as well as spider mite larvae. The bacillus is harmless to plants and animals.

Your vinegar is distilled enough it doesn't act as a weed killer, tho many plants are more susceptible to the vinegar. Vinegar makes the water more acid and kills and carries away the bacteria and tiny bad guys which sustain the life of skeeters, so making the water less acceptible to egg laying skeeters with other sources. Agreed the mosquito dunks, rings, and sprinkles are birth control for mosquitoes and don't affect birds nor animals. By the way, vinegar is actually healthy for drinking at a ratio of 1 Tbsp to 8ozs water, and helps clean your own impurities, so you just made the birds have cleaner kidneys, chuckl

Anything to help nature along!