Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
How do you build a mosquito trap?
By Karilynn from Lambert, MT
I did an internship with the Entomology Dept at UC Davis, many moons ago. I assisted with mosquito research. I recall our mosquito traps were about the size of a small coffee can, with a bottom, and a tapered top. We would hang them from tree limbs, and put a piece (about 3x3 inches) of dry ice in the can. The carbon dioxide would attract the mosquitoes and we would get plenty of samples in out traps.
I live in the jungle on a tropical island in Indonesia. It has been raining here lately so as soon as the rain stops the tiger mosquitoes come out, big fat ladies! Here's the question though, I don't have sugar around the house. Can I change it for some apple juice or some orange juice or something? I wanna make one now!
By Peter
Yes, in fact naturally occurring yeast will start to ferment apple juice without adding any, just need to be patient...
We live in Jakarta and are currently in the dry season where the mosquitoes are at their worst. I was just looking at the drink bottle mosquito trap.
We have two young children and have nets over their beds and keep the top of the house closed and ACs on. As you can imagine however the top of the house leads outside and obviously the mosquitoes can still get in. We spray an hour before bedtime however we are finding a few are still getting in or managing to avoid the spray or we believe they maybe getting in through the exhaust fan shoots.
Anyway my question is, the top floor of our house is quite large, would it be worthwhile placing a couple of these traps around say perhaps in our walk-in robe, which gets very little natural light and perhaps on the top of a cupboard in another room? Or do you think we will attract more and perhaps defeat the purpose of the trap?
Your advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
By Tamzin B
I don't know if you can get it in Jakarta, but Lemon Joy dish detergent kills mosquitos. They drink it and die. We use it in our house if mosquitos get in. We leave it in shallow plates around our sleeping areas.
It looks from the picture that the black construction paper is shredded up and in the bottle vs wrapped around the outside of the bottle. Which way should you do it?
By Daniela
What you're looking at is a picture of the bottle with a (black) mass of mosquitos inside, no black paper wrap. If it was wrapped in black, you couldn't see how effective it is. This is just shown for the article.
Um that's not the paper shredded....that's dead mosquitoes.
Daniela, Those are the dead mosquitos- not paper. The paper has been taken off to show us what it looks like on the inside.
I get that the small opening makes it hard to leave. But, can't they get a free meal and fly out the same way they got in?
By Jenny M
Editor's Note: Here is the post that Jenny is referring to.
They don't seem to be smart enough to fly upwards.
They are attracted to CO2 but feed off of blood. There is no way they would get a meal out of this contraption.
Actually, mosquitoes feed off of nectar and other sugary things such as fruit juice, however the females need a blood meal in order to lay eggs. Some directions for mosquito traps call for adding a tiny bit of boric acid in the sugar/fruit juice mixture as a natural insecticide. They fly in, feed on the acid-laced sugar solution, and then even if they find their way out, they are still killed. The particular directions I'm thinking of came from the website for Mother Earth News.
How often do you have to change the mixture in the bottom of the mosquito catcher bottle?
When the water is filled with mosquitos and has been in the container for two weeks it is time to change the mixture and clean the container.
I would change weekly, to avoid algae and germs.
What is the period of efficacy for the liquid? How often does it need replacing?
By Billy Bob
It is best to leave the liquid in the trap for only two weeks at a time. I normally change mine out every 10 to 14 days.
The liquid will lose its effectiveness after about 2 weeks. If the trap starts getting full of mosquitoes you will also want to change the liquid.
Can the 2-liter mosquito traps be used safely indoors? We have had a problem with many more mosquitoes than usual making their way inside our home. I'm looking for a way to get rid of them so that they quit biting my sleeping children. I'm keeping my kids in long sleeve pjs, but they just go for their faces, hands and feet.
By Bridgette R
I have read all Q/A regarding Mosquito Trap, it would be better if you show some picture of mosquito Trap.
Which type of yeast do I use in this?
By Ravi
Is there anything else I can use besides yeast?
What is the best ways to make mosquito traps, if I don't have any apple cider, and I am not allowed to use meat or wine?
I have made these several years ago and they are wonderful. I think it is best if you just see how to do this. It makes it a lot easier.
On mine, I covered them with black paper to keep it dark. Mosquitos like a dark place to go. You can do as she has or you can cover it with black paper.
www.wikihow.com/
Do you put all the solution in the bottle?
By Dave O
Unless you are using such a thing inside a screen porch or your house, there is no use to it. Outside there are an endless supply of mosquitoes. No matter how many you trap and kill, there will still be another on that is biting your ear. Outside you need one of the products that repel them - coils you burn, the Off lamps, the Off clip on repellant, or the Thermocell work.
I like this idea for a mosquito trap, but the bottle looks ugly to hang outside in my yard. Can I decorate the outside of the bottle with some sort of flower design and will it discourage mosquitoes from entering the bottle?
I was thinking of painting a flower garden design or using stickers.
By Jerry
You can decorate it or not decorate it, but it won't make a bit of difference to the mosquitoes. Mosquito traps have no effect on how many mosquitoes are going to be biting your ankles.
How do the mosquitoes get in?
By Dispen
How do mosquitoes get in? Through an open window or door! Forget about trapping mosquitoes. Can't be done. Inside, get screens. Outside, wear a repellant containing Deet or use the Off Lamps or the belt clip ons. Thermocel is also a product that works and it is portable because it uses a butane burner.
I want to make mosquito traps, but I live in the southwest and it gets well over 100 during the day and we're lucky to hit 80 @ night in the summer time. Will this extreme heat kill the yeast?
By Jennifer
Yeast will live in a wide range of temperature. It goes dormant below about 70F and die off above 140F or so. Yeast is the most active in the 85F-95F range. We store it in a refrigerator for months. In such wide extreams as you mention you may wish to double the yeast; but by all means keep the trap out of the sun and as always, 25 to 30 feet away from where people congregate.
When is the pepper added and how much?
By Sandy L
Black paper, not pepper. You wrap it around the out side of the bottle. I read it the same way at first. :)
Do you put pepper inside the container?
By Michi
Black paper, not pepper. You wrap it around the out side of the bottle. I read it the same way at first. :)
How long does it last and does the top of the bottle once turned up side down go into the solution?
By Harvey J.
How does the mosquito die? Can it not drink and just fly away?
By Anand from India
Can I use instant yeast or does it really have to be an active dry yeast?
By Noah N
How many do I need to cover my backyard? Effective square footage coverage?
By Debbie M.
Does anyone know if a mosquito type trap will also work on biting flies?
By John
