10 Things You Can Do to Attract Helpful Dragonflies to Your Yard

1. Create a Water Feature

Water is one of the best ways to attract dragonflies to your garden! Dragonflies only lay their eggs on or near water, preferably water at least 2 feet deep. They typically lay their eggs on the undersides of aquatic plants or those growing near the water to protect them from predators. Dragonfly young, called nymphs, are completely aquatic.

Adding a pond, fountain, or a small water feature with plants around the edges is the perfect way to attract dragonflies to your yard. This provides plenty of places for egg-laying as well as hiding spots for both nymphs and adults.

2. Keep the Water Clean

Water is important to dragonflies, but it must be clean. To create a healthy habitat that attracts dragonflies to your yard, avoid using any herbicides or pesticides near the water. In addition, a pump, fountain, or filter can help to improve circulation and oxygen levels.

3. Create Plenty of Places to Perch

Dragonflies enjoy perching on tall plants and objects with a good view. This helps them to watch for predators and potential snacks. By strategically placing rocks or dead branches around your yard, you can create simple perches to attract these helpful insects.

4. Give Them Cozy Places to Hide

Dragonflies need safe places to hide from predators, especially at night. Plants near water are excellent hiding spots for dragonflies. These spots help dragonflies stay safe while keeping an eye on their eggs and young. 

5. Plant the Right Flowers

If you want to attract helpful dragonflies to your yard, try planting a garden for their favorite foods! Pollinator-friendly plants like asters, coneflowers, and milkweed (a host plant for monarch butterflies!) will attract a variety of small flying insects, providing food for dragonflies. And as a bonus, these flowers also attract butterflies!

6. Provide Plenty of Sunlight

As cold-blooded creatures, dragonflies spend time in the sun to regulate their body temperature. So, if you want to attract dragonflies to your yard, make sure there are plenty of safe, sunlit perching areas available for them. However, don’t forget to include shady areas as well, so they can cool off and avoid overheating. 

7. Avoid Artificial Lighting

Like many wild creatures, dragonflies rely on natural sunlight, and artificial lighting, and too much bright light can disrupt their natural behaviors. If you want to attract dragonflies to your yard, use less outdoor lighting.

8. Use Less Pesticide

Fortunately, dragonflies are very helpful in controlling mosquito populations in your yard! While mosquitoes may be “pests” to us, using pesticides to get rid of them is a bad idea. Pesticides will kill the tiny insects that dragonflies love to eat, and they’ll have to search elsewhere for food.

9. Embrace a More “Natural” Garden

While a perfectly manicured lawn and pristine flower beds may be appealing to some, they don’t attract many dragonflies. Meticulous, clean-cut gardens lack hiding places and things to eat, so they’re not very comfortable abodes for dragonflies. If you want to attract these helpful insects to your yard, try letting your plants grow a bit more. This will make your yard feel more like a dragonfly’s natural habitat, providing them with both food and shelter. 

10. Be Patient

Even after you’ve tried our list of tips and tricks to attract dragonflies to your yard, remember to be patient! It may take a while for dragonflies to discover your garden and settle in.