A DIY Mosquito Trap

Like in many parts of the country, in my neck of the woods the county sprays some kind of pesticide to kill mosquitoes around the lakes and waterways.  In an economic or societal collapse, that's something that could go away pretty quickly.  Which means hordes of mosquitoes arriving on the scene just as fast.  Most of the time, mosquito bites are a nuisance to be avoided as much as possible.  But sometimes, they are also carrying diseases like malaria, yellow fever, and West Nile virus.
As the mosquitoes have not yet taken to wearing signs to identify themselves as potential assassins, we have to assume all are guilty and do everything in our power to eliminate them first.  We can use all the DEET and herbal repellents we want, but ideally, we should be killing the little buggers before they even come close to us.  So here's a simple mosquito trap you can make from materials you likely already have on hand.

DIY Mosquito Trap

Materials:  2-liter plastic soda bottle, ruler, marker, knife, tape (Scotch, electrical, masking, duct).

1. Measure four inches from the cap of the soda bottle and mark around the side of the bottle.  
2. Use a sharp knife to cut along the marked line.
3. Remove the cap and invert the top of the bottle, like a funnel, into the bottom of the bottle.  
4. Tape the edges together to seal the trap.  

Now for the solution to attract mosquitoes to the trap.

1. Heat 1 cup of water.  
2. Add 1/4 cup brown sugar and stir until completely dissolved.
3. Let the mixture cool to lukewarm.
4. Add 1/8 teaspoon yeast and stir to dissolve.
5. Pour this mixture into your mosquito trap.

Make sure your sugar solution is below 105 degrees.  Water that is too hot will kill the yeast.  No carbon dioxide will be produced.  On the other hand, water that is too cold will not activate the yeast.  As you recall, mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide, which we produce lots of when we exhale.  This solution also creates carbon dioxide.  The mosquitoes are drawn into the bottle and they die.

Also, make sure that the gap between the entry into the trap and the solution is not too large or too small.  You want to make sure the mosquitoes can fly in without having a large enough gap that they can find their way out.  Mosquitoes fly up to escape. 

Set the bottle outside, but a little distance away from you.  The mosquitoes will start showing up for their date with Death in no time.

Links to related posts:  

DIY Tick Tubes
DIY Insect Repellents  

Mosquito-Borne Diseases--Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika, etc.  

Mosquito-Borne Diseases--Yellow Fever

25 may 2023
Preparedness  survival  emergency  bugging out in bug pack survivalist prepper freeze dried dehydrated food storage gamma lid bucket #10 can medicine supplies supply emergencies disaster natural civil war political unrest hyperinflation inflation canning jar Mylar oxygen absorber disease
injury pneumothorax family children antibiotics alternative refrigeration solar communications salmonella pneumonia CPR medic mask gloves beans wheat rice oats corn oil coconut water purification filtration iodine pasta sugar salt iodized dry powdered milk mountain house essentials bread education home school vitamins skills chickens goats rabbits homestead redoubt American fuel wood ticks mosquitoes repellent disinfect sterilize Armageddon TEOTWAWKI SHTF WTSHTF societal
Preparedness  survival  emergency  bugging out in bug pack survivalist prepper freeze dried dehydrated food storage gamma lid bucket #10 can medicine supplies supply emergencies disaster natural civil war political unrest hyperinflation inflation canning jar Mylar oxygen absorber disease
injury pneumothorax family children antibiotics alternative refrigeration solar communications salmonella pneumonia CPR medic mask gloves beans wheat rice oats corn oil coconut water purification filtration iodine pasta sugar salt iodized dry powdered milk mountain house essentials bread education home school vitamins skills chickens goats rabbits homestead redoubt American fuel wood ticks mosquitoes repellent disinfect sterilize Armageddon TEOTWAWKI SHTF WTSHTF societal

Preparedness  survival  emergency  bugging out in bug pack survivalist prepper freeze dried dehydrated food storage gamma lid bucket #10 can medicine supplies supply emergencies disaster natural civil war political unrest hyperinflation inflation canning jar Mylar oxygen absorber diseas
injury pneumothorax family children antibiotics alternative refrigeration solar communications salmonella pneumonia CPR medic mask gloves beans wheat rice oats corn oil coconut water purification filtration iodine pasta sugar salt iodized dry powdered milk mountain house essentials bread education home school vitamins skills chickens goats rabbits homestead redoub

t American fuel wood ticks mosquitoes repellent disinfect sterilize Armageddon TEOTWAWKI SHTF WTSHTF societal