We can enjoy outdoor activities, beach outings, poolside relaxing, and other summertime pleasures again when the weather is warm. But is there one thing this season that nobody looks forward to? The mosquito. Not only can these pests give us red, itching bumps, but they also carry a number of diseases. By keeping mosquitoes under control on your property, you can reduce the risk of contracting diseases spread by mosquitoes and stop the insects from laying their eggs near your house, which will reduce summertime swatting and scratching.
However, that does not mean you have to run to the market and buy repellents or mosquito traps. By creating one of these three easy-to-make DIY mosquito traps, you can successfully keep the pests at away.
How to Create a Homemade Mosquito Trap Using Sugar and Yeast
A simple yet powerful mosquito trap is to mix water, sugar, and yeast. Place the trap inside and around your property. According to Timothy Wong, technical director of M&M Pest Control, “after a few hours, the yeast starts releasing a steady stream of carbon dioxide, which mosquitoes are highly attracted to.”
- Slit an empty plastic bottle’s cap, stopping just below the neck.
- Combine a solution of sugar and yeast in the bottom of the bottle (for a 2-liter bottle, combine 1 cup of warm water, 4 tablespoons of sugar, and 1/3 teaspoon of yeast; use the same ratio and increase the amount appropriately).
- Turn the bottle over so that the opening is facing downhill and creating a funnel.
- Put it on top of the bottle’s lower portion. Make sure that any gaps or spaces around the edges of the funnel are sealed by using tape or glue to secure it in place.
- To make the bottle dark on the inside as well as the outside, wrap it with something black, leaving the top open for mosquitoes to fly in.
- Every several days, replenish the trap with fresh sugar and yeast.
How to Use a Box Fan to Create a Diy Mosquito Trap
Is there a box fan somewhere in your home? Use it as a mosquito trap. Ian Williams, BCE technical services manager at Orkin, states, “Most mosquito species are weak fliers and any significant wind can prevent them from getting to you.” “An overhead fan on a porch or a well-placed box fan that blows away from the area you are trying to protect can help reduce mosquito bites.” Mosquitoes will be drawn in by the air and eventually trapped if they make it to the back of the fan.
