Homemade mosquito trap, simple, low cost, effective 2013-04-07

After one of our neighbors from San Benito, Texas gave a quick talk about a homemade mosquito trap he has been successfully using I decided give it the try. All is needed is a plastic container, a clamp lamp and a bulb (make sure your electric set up is safe for children, adults, pets and wildlife otherwise don't do it). Add a couple of inches of water and a few drops of liquid detergent (I used Palmolive original). I was told that a green color light was best but I tried a "day light" white bulb instead since I had bought the wrong green bulb and I have seen the mosquitoes being attracted by the white light before. I set 2 traps front and back yard covered areas. The next morning I took the video clips. The white bucket had more than 150 mosquitoes, the clay colored container lots as well. Mosquito bites are way down already.

The reason it works is because the detergent breaks the natural surface tension of the water which mosquitoes need to land on the water to lay their eggs. After the detergent is added the mosquitoes sink and drown, This simple concept might even work without a light source. I would try that especially when a safe set up is not possible or available. I will try the green light later to see if that makes a difference.

[zanzark]

The first mosquito trap video that actually traps mosquitoes.

[MrWizzleTeets]

Hi, one suggestion that might help to improve your trap is to have a black bowl. Mosquito's are attracted to contrast. The lamp and the black bowl will create that. I live in Vietnam so have a pretty fair idea of the little buggers behavior. If you put a black bag or jumper etc down in an infested area they will swarm around it. Best plan is to wear clothing that is similar to the tone of your skin. Currently testing my own trap...

[tavovalero]

I tried without the light already but it does not work much that way. It seems that the light is what lures them in. I don''t think is the heat because the lamp does not get hot at all when I take it off in the morning. For maintenance I change the water, wash it off and add new detergent every 3-4 days.

[nayhem]

Those traps wrapped in dark paper are the ones emitting carbon dioxide, and tricking the mosquitoes into feeding, which they apparently prefer to do in the dark.

Not entirely sure what the light does here, but the mosquitoes also need standing water to lay eggs. They sound like awesome ideas either way.

[JodBronson]

White Light works best :D, certain Species DO NOT like Lights, Babies Mosquitos LOVE Lights, but NOT all Species... But this Video works, because the Female needs WATER to lay their Eggs, although this is NOT long term... I have experiment a few and found that Rain Water, Pond Water and Stagnant Rain Water works best. Tap Water or City Water doesn't work well because it has Chlorine in it, I waited for like 10+ days on City Water before I can even catch few :((((. But Water that I mentioned above Works really good. Mosquitos are Smart and they want their Babies to survive so they Lay Eggs in Water that can give their Babies Food. I am testing a few Water to see which one works best, but by Far, Pond Water and Stagnant Rain Water is BEST :D. I will post some Vids on my Channel after Testing soon. Also, I like to add... Water has to be DEEP... They won't go to Pales or Bucket that is Less than 1 Gallons, unless they are desperate for Water... So far, I have more Success with 5 Gallons+ BLACK / Small White Strip Containers. It has to be in shaded Areas :D and also it has to be on East/ North.. Mostly more toward East of your House. Due to Sunrise and Sunset and Temperature of Water :D

[coreydunlap]

Thanks for sharing and for not wasting time doing a lot of unnessary yappin like Ive seen some people doing. Great Share

[sadnessforbreakfast]

Does it matter whether you add the detergent or the water first?

[xsuperman]

If it uses the light to attract them, does it mean it doesn't divert the mosquitos in day time?

[frugalgardening]

I do this same concept for house flies using ginger ale in a jar, glass, cup, etc. but without the light. Just ginger ale in a container and a drop of dish detergent. They fall in and drown.

[iamimad]

very effective i have tried it yesterday it was very very effective and easy thx

[dgmojojojo]

do they stir the detergent to dissolve or just drop few drops in it?

[bigmack]

are you referring to laundry detergent or dishwashing soap in your description? this is a cool trap and I will definitely be trying this.

[BeerIndependenceAll]

We have a big acrylic aviary with cockatiels and one night discovered some kind of gnat was getting in through the edges of the screen.  Not wanting the birds to freak out, we turned off all the lights except for a desk light I angled down over a pan of water with a drop of soap in it.  Next morning the pan was full of them and there were none to be found elsewhere in the room.  Good job on yours! 
PS Fancy commercial traps produce CO2 to attract mosquitoes, not light.  I have seen homemade traps use sugar and yeast in water to do the same.  You might try that too... and still use a drop of soap, of course.

[Dori]

This is a neat idea, gotta give it a try....wonder if a solar light will work as well. :)

[prancingdog]

*Is that light necessary? Maybe a side by side test?*

[alvagoldbook]

because that dish soap is super concentrated. Just a few drops to the dishwasher and your dishwasher will flood with bubbles. The same principle applies here. Mosquitoes can stand on stagnant water, where they lay their eggs. But with the soap in the water, they can't stand on the water, the soap sticks to them, and they drown.

[GreenOptima]

Wouldn't a bug zapper with bright lights be better? Or does the water + detergent work better? Or is this to save money?

[bat]

If these are all bugs that want to lay eggs doesn't that mean they have already fed on you or a neighbor? and that they are already on their way to being dead in the first place? or do they land on water to just do it anyway?

[RafaelBoy]

Are you really getting rid of mosquitoes or just other kind of bugs?

[AbdullahVEVO]

Do you mean dish detergent ? do you stir the water when u add the detergent or you just drop a few drops no need to mix ?