What sort of birds should I be trying to attract to control mosquitoes and wasps?
To diminish mosquito populations, attract birds that eat insects on the wing (they catch flying insects in the air). The main ones are swallows such as the tree swallow, violet-green swallow, and barn swallow. The eastern kingbird also catches flying insects. Many other insect-eating birds can help to control wasps and, possibly, mosquitoes including chickadees, house wrens, gray catbirds, bluebirds, vireos, warblers, orioles, tanagers, and even some of the sparrows such as the chipping sparrow. Even some seed-eating birds can help control mosquitoes, since this is what they feed their young in the spring. By maintaining a bird-friendly backyard, the birds you attract will help reduce insect problems, although they won’t wipe them out completely. To attract birds, you need to meet their needs for food, water, shelter, and space. The more variety of trees, flowers, and shrubs in your garden, the greater variety of birds you’ll be able to attract. Insects will be drawn to native wildflow
