by Chloe Cole

Created on: November 15, 2008   Last Updated: July 25, 2011

Making a homemade mosquito trap is simple and cost effective. Sure there are several pricey traps on the market that could cost you hundreds of dollars. Why should you spend that money when a handcrafted mosquito trap works just as well and costs less?

Mosquitoes are a burden to us all and carry a variety of harmful diseases. Every year you spend a small fortune on ways to repel, control, or trap mosquitoes. With tough economic times and increased cost of living we find ourselves getting creative to save money.

There are two very effective, simple ways to create mosquito control trap. Both, cost pennys to make and require items that can be found inside most households. So lets get creative, efficiently solve your problem, and save some money.

Trap #1

The Nearly Free Mosquito Killer

Materials Needed:

• Scissors

• A plastic 2 liter bottle

• Water

• Heat source

Instructions:

Remove the cap on the empty bottle and cut into 2 pieces. The top portion should be much shorter then the bottom half. Heat the mouth of the bottle and squeeze it until the gap is nothing more then a tiny slit. Invert the top portion like a funnel and fit it into the bottom portion. Fill up with water.

How it works:

Mosquitoes lay eggs on surface rims. The larvae develop and wiggle down the funnel and through the slit, into the bottom. Unable to find their way back to the surface they die of suffocation. As long as the trap is full of water this process will continue to go on.

Trap #2

The Quick and Dirty Mosquito Trap

Materials needed:

• 2 liter bottle

• 2 cups hot water

• 4 cups brown sugar

• 2 tablespoon yeast

• 1 drop dish soap

• Measuring cup

• Scissors

• Thermometer

• Black paper

• Duct Tape

Instructions:

Cut the bottle top off just above the label. Dissolve brown sugar in 2 cups of hot water. Cool the water down to 40 degrees Celsius(see tips). After sugar water is cooled down, pour the mix into the bottom half of the bottle. Add the yeast and dish soap, DO NOT shake or stir . Invert the top half into the bottom half. Yeast ferments and creates carbon dioxide, this is what attracts the mosquitoes. To prevent the top popping off seal the rim of the bottle with tape. Tape the black paper around the bottle.

How it works:

This trap is basically a CO2 generator, much like the pricey traps they sell in stores. Only instead of using propane to create CO2, you use yeast.

Tips:

• Fill a large bowl with ice cold water. Mix hot water and sugar in a smaller bowl. Place the thermometer inside the small bowl, then place inside the bowl of ice water. If the yeast is to cold it won't rise and grow, if it is to hot the yeast will die.

• For best results, replace for 2-4 weeks, then replace.

In conclusion, there are also a few home remedies that also work effectively to repel mosquitoes.  Basil, catnip, lemon and marigolds work well to repel mosquitoes. Rub on your skin or plant around the 'sitting' areas and water sources in your yard.  Build a bat house. A bat will eat up to twice its own body weight in insects every day Dry ice emits carbon dioxide. If you place a block in a remote section of your yard during parties, mosquitoes will be attracted to the it instead of your party guests.

Now that you have your arsenal, head out to that yard and defeat the enemy!

Learn more about this author, Chloe Cole.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.