Introduction: Why You Should Make a Mosquito Trap

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With the ever present fear of mosquito borne disease prevalent in the world these days, maybe it's time to get back to the simplest solutions.

Building a personal mosquito trap is easy, and should be something any community concerned within infestations of disease carrying mosquitoes.

This design is straightforward, uses multiple triggers to attract mosquitoes.

Edit:

Mosquitoes are drawn to the smell of CO2, thinking it's coming from animals they can get blood from.

They're also drawn to the warmth of the trap, especially when it gets cooler in the evening.

They are also attracted to dark colors, and dark holes which they use as hiding areas during times they don't want to fly (rain, mid-day etc.)

For personal protection from biting insects, see my post on a Spice Based Natural Insect Repellent.

https://www.instructables.com/id/Spice-Based-Natura...

Step 1: Materials

Plastic Bottle (Found bottles are a good way to recycle.)

Yeast (Most yeasts should work, experiment to see which you prefer.)

Sugar (Use any natural sweetener, brown sugar, honey or even syrup if that's all you have, any sugary fruit juice could also substitute when diluted.

Water (Filtered water is best, as it has fewer ways to attack the yeast, but use what is available.)

Step 2: Extra Supplies

Pan for heating water, kettle for boiling, etc.

Cutting Tool

Construction Paper, newspaper, paper bag, cardboard box., etc.

Step 3: Cut the Bottle

Cut the bottle around a third of the way down, giving yourself a funnel with a lip the size of the remaining bottle.

Invert the top into the base.

Step 4: Secure the Top

Secure the top of the bottle to the base, ensuring a secure seal.

Step 5:

In a pan, cup, can or other receptacle, pour some sugar.

Either boil some water, pour water in the pan and cook it over heat, or otherwise let the sugar dissolve.

Allow the mixture to cool, or you may add water to bring down the temperature to below 90 F (32 C).

Step 6: Add Water and Yeast

The bottle is filled with the sugar water solution.

Pour the Activated Yeast in the bottle.

The Yeast will begin to dissolve, and begin to multiply while consuming the sugar.

Step 7: Fermentation Begins

Here is how the yeast begins to break apart and ferment.

Step 8: Cover the Bottle

Cover the bottle with a dark piece of paper, or place it in a paper bag, or a box. You'll want to place it in something which will act as a heater, to keep the water warm.

Step 9: The Finished Trap

The trap is now complete.

That's the business end of this inexpensive piece of protection.

Now it's time to put it to good use.

Step 10: Select Your Location

You should place the trap in locations of your yard that are away from congregation areas.

In fence corners, behind bushes, or behind sheds are optimal spots.

For optimal use, keep the level of the water from dropping, and replace the water and clean the trap every two weeks, or as required.

The upkeep of this device is minimal, but the effects on your health could be immeasurable.

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