How to Make a Homemade Mosquito Killer

Common Mosquito.

Mosquitoes are not only annoying pests; they also have been known to spread diseases, especially West Nile virus. Mosquitoes are initially attracted to humans because people emit carbon dioxide when they exhale. Carbon dioxide is a mosquito attractant; most mosquito traps have a carbon dioxide-emitting mechanism. Human scents, such as sweat and the smell of your breath, also attract mosquitoes. Mosquito repellents and candles can be used to keep the bugs away, but they do not kill the mosquito. Instead of spraying your body with chemicals, create your own homemade mosquito trap that will eventually kill these flying pests.

Things You'll Need

• 2-liter soda bottle
• Scissors or knife
• 1/8 cup sugar
• 1/8 cup yeast
• 1/8 cup water
• Packing tape
• Black construction paper

Instructions

1. Make sure the soda bottle is empty and the inside is clean. Cut the top of the bottle about 3 inches down from the top. This should be where the top of the bottle stops curving and becomes straight. Do not throw away the bottle top.

2. Mix the sugar and water together in the bottom of the bottle until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the yeast and mix by sloshing the liquid around in the bottom of the bottle. When mixed with the water and sugar, the yeast will emit carbon dioxide.

3. 

   Remove the cap from the bottle top and discard. Place the bottle top upside-down over the cut-open end of the bottle so that the screw top is on the inside of the bottle. Tape the bottle top in place. When a mosquito enters the bottle, it will not be able to get back out due to the placement of the hole in the bottle top.

4. Wrap the black construction paper around the soda bottle and tape into place. Put the mosquito trap in an area out of direct sunlight. It may take several weeks to notice a difference in the mosquito population around your home. Replace the water, sugar and yeast mixture as necessary.

References

• Mosquito Info

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish