Exploring Mosquito Traps: The Quest for Effectiveness

Hello everyone! I made a video showcasing three mosquito traps using borax, yeast, and soap. Unfortunately, none of these traps proved to be effective. However, thanks to the valuable feedback from viewers, I discovered some recommended modifications to enhance the traps' efficiency. In this blog post, I will share the changes I made to the yeast and soap traps and document my journey to find a solution that works.

Step 1:

Enhancing the Yeast Trap Based on viewer suggestions, I decided to implement the following modifications to the yeast trap:

a) Warm Water Activation: I heated water to at least 110 degrees Fahrenheit and let it cool down. Warm water helps activate the yeast more effectively.

b) Increased Sugar Content: To activate the dried yeast, I added four tablespoons of sugar to each bottle. This adjustment ensures a more favorable environment for the yeast to thrive.

c) Placement in a Dark Area: I moved the yeast trap to a dark place away from sunlight, as recommended by viewers. A cardboard box with an entry point provided an ideal location.

Step 2:

Improving the Soap Trap For the soap trap, I incorporated the following changes based on viewer suggestions:

a) Stale Water: I used stale water that had been sitting on my counter, previously used for watering herbs. This water is known to attract mosquitoes effectively.

b) Strategic Placement: I positioned the soap trap alongside the yeast trap in the darkened cardboard box. This ensured consistent environmental conditions for testing.

Step 3:

Conducting the Experiment After implementing the modifications, I set up the yeast and soap traps in my garage. I placed a white sheet in front of the traps and ran a camera for half an hour. Surprisingly, not a single mosquito was attracted to the traps during that time. However, as I entered the garage, mosquitoes swarmed around me, highlighting the need for a more effective solution.

Step 4:

Refining the Trap Design Realizing the limitations of the previous traps, I decided to experiment further with a new approach. I created a trap utilizing a high-powered fan, carbon dioxide, and an alcohol-based spray. Here's how I built it:

a) Carbon Dioxide Attraction: Using a soda bottle, I punched a hole in the cap and filled the bottle with carbon dioxide by exhaling into it slowly. The bottle released the gas gradually, mimicking the carbon dioxide exhaled by humans that attracts mosquitoes.

b) Fan Overpowering: I constructed a cardboard box with an opening for the fan. The fan, covered with wire mesh and sprayed with an alcohol-based solution, overpowered the mosquitoes and prevented their escape.

c) Trap Setup: Placing the soda bottle inside the box, I secured the lid with one entry and exit point to ensure mosquitoes could only enter through the fan.

Step 5:

Observing Results After running the refined trap for two hours, I was thrilled to discover a considerable number of mosquitoes trapped inside. The high-powered fan, carbon dioxide attraction, and alcohol spray proved effective in capturing mosquitoes and preventing their escape.

Conclusion:

Although my initial attempts with homemade mosquito traps did not yield the desired results, I am grateful for the insightful feedback from viewers. Through their suggestions and my continued experimentation, I discovered a more effective solution utilizing a high-powered fan, carbon dioxide, and an alcohol-based spray. The quest for an efficient mosquito trap continues, and I am excited to explore alternative methods and share my findings in future videos and blog posts. Stay tuned!