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How to Make a Homemade Trap for Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are small, blood-sucking flying insects. When they land on a host, they draw blood by puncturing the skin. While the puncture is painless, the tiny wound results in a raised, itchy welt. Mosquitoes also spread diseases that are harmful to humans and to pets. If you are having mosquito problems, consider setting out a homemade mosquito trap. A trap removes the mosquitoes from your environment.

Things You'll Need

Pot
Brown sugar
Yeast
2-liter soda bottle
Sharp knife
Masking tape
Black paper

Instructions

- 1
  Mix 1 cup of water with 2/3 cup of brown sugar in a pot.
- 2
  Heat the mixture until the brown sugar is completely dissolved.
- 3
  Place the pot in the refrigerator until it is at least at room temperature.
- 4
  Add 1 tablespoon of yeast to the pot and stir it in.
- 5
  Use a sharp knife to cut the top 1/3 from an empty soda bottle. Make the cut at the place where the funnel curves out and meets the body of the bottle.
- 6
  Pour the sugar and yeast mixture into the bottom of the bottle.
- 7
  Nest the top of the bottle upside down inside the bottom of the bottle. This creates a funnel leading into the bottom of the bottle.
- 8
  Tape the top and bottom of the bottle together with masking tape.
- 9
  Tape black construction paper around the outside of the bottle, covering the sides completely.
- 10
  Set the trap in a place where you have mosquitoes. The mosquitoes will be drawn to the sugar and yeast mixture, but once they are in the trap, they are unable to find their way out.

Insects & Science