Homemade Mosquito Lure
A simple DIY trap using yeast fermentation to produce carbon dioxide that attracts mosquitoes. Use responsibly and keep away from children and pets.
What you’ll need
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 packet (about 7 g) dry yeast
- 1 empty 2-liter plastic bottle
Equipment
- Sharp scissors or a craft knife (for cutting the bottle)
- Tape (duct tape or packing tape)
- A funnel or rolled paper (optional)
Directions
Step 1 — Prepare the bottle:
Remove the label and rinse the 2-liter bottle. Let it dry. Cut the top third of the bottle off (where it narrows) so you have a funnel-shaped top and a larger bottom section.
Step 2 — Make the sugar solution:
Pour 1 cup of hot (not boiling) water into a heatproof container. Stir in 5 tablespoons of sugar until mostly dissolved. Allow the mixture to cool until it is warm but not hot (warm enough to be comfortable to touch).
Step 3 — Add baking powder:
Stir in 1 tablespoon of baking powder until dissolved. (The baking powder is sometimes included in home recipes to slightly alter the pH — follow local guidance if you prefer to omit it.)
Step 4 — Add the yeast:
Sprinkle the packet of dry yeast into the warm sugar solution. Do not stir vigorously — just a gentle mix is enough. The yeast will begin to ferment and produce carbon dioxide over time.
Step 5 — Assemble the trap:
Invert the cut top of the bottle (funnel end down) and place it into the bottom half so it forms a funnel into the liquid. Tape the seam to secure and make the trap more stable. Optionally, use a small piece of rolled paper as a funnel if you prefer not to cut the bottle.
Step 6 — Position the trap:
Place the trap outdoors in a shaded, low-wind area where mosquitoes are likely to rest (near standing water sources or vegetation, but not in direct sunlight). Check it daily.
Step 7 — Maintenance and disposal:
Replace the solution every 1–2 weeks or when activity declines. When disposing, empty the liquid into a sink, rinse the bottle, and recycle or discard it according to local rules.
Safety & tips
- Keep the trap out of reach of children and pets.
- This trap reduces mosquito numbers locally but is not a complete control method — remove standing water and use screens/repellents as needed.
- If you live in an area with mosquito-borne disease, follow public health guidance in addition to DIY traps.
