Want to trap tons of mosquitoes? Click here to jump directly to some mosquito traps that actually work! Within the past month, this picture with its accompanying tutorial exploded all over the internet. Allegedly, all you needed to make an ultra effective mosquito trap is a 2 liter bottle, cut in half with one half inverted, some brown sugar and some yeast. This concoction would bring the mosquitoes in from miles around to happily dive into the sugar water and die. Here in central Alberta, mosquitoes are the most common form of winged life under the sun. Going outside in summer is a real risk – because you might go faint from all the blood loss. This mosquito trap looked to be the perfect solution to this insect overload. Only problem is – the trap doesn’t work. My version of the trap has caught exactly two flies and a small curled up leaf. Not a single mosquito. I’m not alone either in my dissapointment. Rooting through the comment sections of sites that have published this mosquito trap unearths numerous reports of the same thing.
(Example 1, 2, 3, 4) One commenter shares his struggle with this frustrating trap. I believe that I have read at least 200 comments about this type of soda bottle mosquito trap. I have NOT FOUND A SINGLE ONE THAT SAYS THAT IT WORKS. I think this trap is a dud, but I’m not giving up the search for a good mosquito trap. If you’ve created your own effective mosquito trap, or even used a commercial mosquito trap, let us know in the comments. The liquid detergent mosquito trap works by removing the surface tension of water that insects need to stay afloat. Mosquitos are attracted to stagnant water, but if the water has detergent added to it, the mosquitos get stuck. To use this method, simply take a bucket, fill it with water, add a few drops of liquid detergent, aim a light at the water to attract the mosquitos and let it do its job. Here you see an example of this mosquito trap working well: Note: Don’t use this method somewhere where children or animals might drink the water!
One of our readers gave a glowing recommendation on a method that works similar to a spiderweb. If that spiderweb were powered by rocket fuel. This pile of mosquitoes was captured by Andy Ross from GreenPowerScience in a single night with one mosquito trap. The trap works by moving an enormous quantity of air through a fine wire mesh. The mesh is impregnated with isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to make sure the mosquitoes are good n dead. You can try the mosquito catcher out using a normal home box fan, but to really have an effective trap you should go for a high velocity fan. The top recommended fan for these types of traps is the MaxxAir 24″ portable. It will move 4,000 cubic feet per minute. That’s compared to your ordinary Lasko box fans which move about 2,000. The mesh is harder to find, it needs to be fine enough that mosquitos can’t fit through it. Ordinary hardware cloth won’t work. In a pinch you can just secure ordinary mosquito netting which is cheap and easy to find.
Here is the full video from Green Power Science that the above clip of mosquitoes was taken from. I recommend watching at least the first few minutes for some ideas about which fans you can use, how to attach the mesh, and how to properly use the isopropyl alcohol.Home / Health & Beauty / Over 40 Mosquito Bite Itch Relief TipsOver 40 Mosquito Bite Itch Relief Tips 918 Comments Print EmailIt’s mosquito season and I have buffalo sized ones zipping around the backyard as I type this.Thanks to their first feast on my ankles tonight and an earlier comment from Kim, I was inspired to dig through every tip I had regarding mosquito bites and relief from the itching. Scritch Scratch.I haven’t tried most of the suggestions below, but I’ll note which ones have worked for me.Here are more than 40 tips organized in one neat file, each bullet point is a single method:Household Items:Rub a bar of soap over the itch. I just tried this (Ivory soap) and the relief was near instant.
I used a dry bar of soap directly on the skin, but I also have notes that you can spritz with water first and then run bar of soap over area–or use a wet bar of soap.Place a piece of scotch tape on the bite; or dab rubbing alcohol or ammonia on the area first then stick on a piece of tape.Hot water: Take a hot shower, or a hot bath, or apply a hot compress. As hot as you can stand it without burning you.Ice cube, ice pack or very cold waterDabbersThe quicker you can apply one of the remedies below, the faster the relief. These are topical suggestions, apply directly to the area.Nail PolishStrong tea mixed with rubbing alcoholToothpaste (works for me)MouthwashVinegar (apply directly or take a hot bath with 2 cups of vinegar in the water)HoneyUnderarm deodorant (solid or roll-on) – apply directly to skinRubbing AlcoholAmmoniaBleachTea: Use a hot tea bag or a cotton ball soaked in hot tea to dab on skinPaste ApplicationsMix these fresh then apply as soon as possible. The consistency should be nice and thick so it won’t run, yet will still stay in place on the affected area.
You could also spritz bite with water then apply grains/powders directly (generously) and rub them in.Baking Soda & Water (works for me)Meat Tenderizer & WaterSalt & Water (works for me)Epsom Salt & Water (could also do this as a foot soak if it’s the ankle/foot area affected)Tums Tablets: crush and add a few drops of waterAspirin: crush then add a few drops of waterAspirin – crush then apply a few drops of rubbing alcoholCommercial Product Lotions, Creams & Applications*Apply directlyCalamine LotionBenadryl CreamOrajelAnbesolCaladrylVicks VapoRub (works for me)Preparation H (works for me)Lucas Papaw OintmentTiger BalmBag BalmGold Bond Medicated Cream (or the Gold Bond Medicated Powder)Mylanta (heartburn relief product)After BiteEssential OilsApply full strength. Edit: There are concerns about using essential oils on children and pre-teens, especially repeated use.Tea Tree OilLavender OilWitch Hazel (astringent)Cedar OilLeaf Applications*Crush the fresh leaves roughly then applyBasilPlantains (Plantago)Fruity Applications*Use fresh fruit & apply directly to skinLemon JuiceLemon SliceLime JuiceLime SliceBanana Peel (rub with the inside of the peel)Whew!