You Won't Be Seeing Mosquitoes In Your Yard Anymore With These 2 Baking Staples

Throughout the warm weather months, people enjoy spending time outside — whether it be a backcountry adventure or a backyard barbecue. However, sometimes the smallest things can put a damper on the enjoyment of being outside. Oftentimes, that small thing is a mosquito or, even more accurately, swarms of mosquitoes. While mosquitoes can be found year-round, they are most active during the same periods people spend the most time outdoors. That is to say the warmer months of spring through early fall, with summer being the peak. They are also most frisky during the morning and evening hours, which again, coincides with when people spend the most time in their backyards. At times, this can make your backyard feel more like a torture chamber than a place to relax and unwind.

So, how is it possible to spend time enjoying your yard each evening without being carried off by mosquitoes or blasting the entire area with strong chemicals? There are some natural scents that repel mosquitoes, although at times spraying yourself with repellent just isn't convenient. There are also a number of campsite mosquito repellent hacks that can work for a snippet of time in your backyard. Some homeowners also cultivate plants to repel mosquitoes. However, if you want a simple solution that will keep working 24/7, all you need are two baking staples and a little bit of time to create a DIY mosquito trap.

The supplies you need for this DIY mosquito trap are very basic. Odds are, you already have everything you need on hand already. If not, all of these items are relatively inexpensive and commonly found at any grocery store, so procuring them should be a snap. 

The supplies needed for a DIY mosquito trap are a plastic bottle (16-ounce, 1 or 2 liters), water, yeast, sugar (brown or white granulated), a box cutter or scissors, and tape or glue. Any tape or glue will work. It really depends how permanent and weatherproof you choose to make the trap as to the type of tape or glue you choose.

If you want to conceal, hide, or make your DIY mosquito trap more visually appealing, you may want to consider spray paint or a fabric cloth covering. Additionally, if you want to hang your mosquito trap as opposed to setting it on the ground, you will need fishing line, light wire, or some other means by which to suspend it.

The steps taken to make this DIY mosquito trap are exactly the same as they are for any plastic bottle funnel trap that is made to capture other flying insects such as houseflies, fruit flies, or wasps (pictured above). The biggest difference is the concoction contained in the trap, as they will determine which species of insect it primarily attracts. In this case, the mixture of water, sugar, and yeast will emit carbon dioxide, which in turn will attract mosquitoes. According to a paper published on Science Signpost, the effectiveness varies based on the type and amount of sugar and yeast, but any combination of these ingredients will indeed attract mosquitoes.

To make a DIY mosquito trap, remove the lid from an empty plastic bottle. Cut the top off of the bottle just below the neck. Pour the sugar/yeast solution (1 cup hot water, 4 tablespoons sugar, 1/3 teaspoon yeast) into the bottom portion of the bottle. Replace the bottleneck, putting it upside down so the opening for the lid is facing the bottom of the bottle. This creates a funnel which will prevent mosquitoes from escaping the bottle trap once they fly in. Finally, tape or glue the bottle sections together in order to seal the edges and make sure the mosquitoes remain trapped inside.