How to Attract Dragonflies to Your Yard

Dragonflies are beautiful, fun to watch, and can eliminate pesky mosquitoes and other unwanted insects. To attract dragonflies to a yard, a natural habitat that includes a water source is necessary. This can be accomplished through the installation of a water pond available at many lawn and garden stores. A water pond with the proper location and vegetation can provide a thriving habitat for both nymphs and adult dragonflies.

Water pond kit

Underwater vegetation

Above water vegetation

Shrubs

Plants

Rocks

Logs or interesting stump

Locate an area suitable for the water pond. A water pond needs to be located where it will receive midday to afternoon sun and void of extreme wind.

Determine how big the water pond will be. While size is not a factor to attracting dragonflies, it may be an issue in terms of the location of the water pond.

Purchase a water pond. Water ponds may be purchased from a lawn and garden center or specialty outdoor aquatic supply store.

Follow the manufacturer's directions for installing the water pond. Note that a natural habitat for dragonflies often contains shallow water on the outside edges and deeper water in the center.

Allow shallow areas for feeding nymphs. Deeper water offers a means of shelter. The center of the pond should be at least 2 feet deep.

Add a water pump to keep water in the pond moving. This will keep the water and pond cleaner longer. Some water pond kits include a water pump; others may need to be purchased separately.

Add underwater vegetation so the nymphs will have adequate shelter from predators. Plants are necessary for the habitat of both nymphs and adult dragonflies.

Add above-water vegetation to provide adult dragonflies with perches, a place to lay eggs and added protection from wind.

Plant bushes and shrubs around the outside of the water pond to help protect with rainwater runoff and wind. Dragonflies like a warm, calm, leisurely habitat.

Adding a log or stump around the water pond adds decoration and character to the dragonfly water source. It also offers the dragonflies a more natural environment.

Add a few rocks to the landscape around the water pond for perching and sunbathing. Dragonflies like to sunbathe on light colored rock.

Add flowers for color and to invite other insects, a food source for dragonflies. While flowers do not necessarily attract dragonflies, they don't deter them either and will make a nice addition to the water pond, providing color and other insects.

Be creative in building a water pond. Design plans are not necessary, as most water sources in nature occurred naturally.

Use caution with chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers in and around the water pond.