DIY Mosquito Traps - What Does and Doesn't Work

Mosquitoes ruin everyone’s summer, so many homeowners turn to DIY traps to find a quick, easy, or natural solution to the winged pests. We interviewed professor Phil Koehler - an emeritus professor of entomology at the University of Florida to see what does and doesn’t work.

Key Takeaways:

• Most popular DIY mosquito “traps” are ineffective - they don’t attract mosquitos, or are too high maintenance to be practical
• A dengue fever outbreak was made worse by a largescale test of homemade traps - the government inadvertently created 50,000 mosquito breeding grounds
• Homeowners looking for solutions should get inexpensive, tested traps - and try other solutions like eliminating standing water.

50,000 DIY Mosquito Traps and the US Army

The US military has been working on easy to use mosquito traps for a long time. Up until about 2020, they had been using a method that was effectively DIY for soldiers in the field.

This was put to the test in Key West, Florida: public officials put out 50,000 of these 'military grade' traps in the first true test of the tech. Did this logical, military trap work as well as it seemed it seemed? They were going to find out. All they had to do was wait and see what happened. 

Bad news: The mosquito population actually increased after the traps were deployed.

But why do so many of these “easy solutions” fail? Let's explore why most DIY mosquito traps don't work on the flying insects and what to do instead.

Common DIY Mosquito Trap Methods (And Why They Fail)

DIY traps are an attractive proposal: control mosquito populations with just a plastic bottle and packet of active dry yeast. Stop a mosquito bite before it happens. 

Most DIY control methods found online for female mosquitoes do not work. They often don't eliminate, or even reduce mosquito populations.

We'll go through each one and discuss the design flaws. 

The CO2 Trap

This method involves using a plastic bottle cut in half, with a mixture of active dry yeast, sugar, and water to produce carbon dioxide (CO₂), which attracts mosquitoes.

Why it fails: the CO₂ produced by sugar and yeast is not the only thing that attracts mosquitoes. They are also attracted to the scent of humans, and this is a much stronger mosquito attractant than CO₂ alone. 

The Fan Trap

These traps use a large net or bag with a box fan to suck mosquitoes into the container.

Why it fails: Mosquitoes are attracted to areas of still air due to their small size. Fan traps end up repelling mosquitoes due to the increased air flow. 

The Sticky Trap

Often made with a mixture of sugar, water, and dish soap, these traps aim to trap mosquitoes on their sticky surface.

Why it fails: these traps are effective at catching flies and the occasional mosquito, but mosquitoes prefer stagnant water.

Lab data: in experiments performed at the University of Florida 80% of mosquitoes preferred stagnant water to aerated or moving water.

Citronella Candles

Citronella candles are a house candle made with oil of citronella. Citronella is a plant that’s often cited as a natural mosquito repellant. 

Why it fails:  While it is a documented repellent by the American Mosquito Control Association, they note that it's only effective in still air, and most people are better off using a skin-applied repellent.

The Science Behind Trap Failures

Laboratory vs. Field Performance

Dr. Philip Koehler, an emeritus professor from the University of Florida, explains why traps that work well in lab settings often fail in real-world conditions."It's quite common for laboratory data to not work once you take it to a field situation...” Dr. Koehler explains.  

The Key West study was based on lab data, just not for a long enough period of time. “What happens (and people should have thought of this before) is that insecticides break down in water through a process called hydrolysis, which is basically water cleaving the insecticide into non-toxic components."

Once the insecticide broke down, the researchers had created 50,000 perfect sites for mosquito breeding. This breakdown of insecticides in water environments is a critical factor that many DIY trap designs fail to account for.

Dr. Koehler outlined 4 key reasons that a homemade trap can fail at controlling mosquitoes:

1. Limited Attractant Range - DIY traps typically have a very limited range of attraction. Mosquitoes may not be drawn to them from more than a few feet away.
2. Ineffective Lures - Homemade lures often can't compete with the siren song of  human scent and carbon dioxide, which, when combined, are far more attractive to mosquitoes.
3. High Maintenance - Many DIY traps lose their effectiveness quickly, requiring frequent maintenance or replacement.
4. Make Mosquito Problems Worse - In some cases, DIY traps can actually attract more mosquitoes to your area without effectively trapping them. 

Koehler recalls, “In Key West they put 50,000 of these out in the field with the treated popsicle sticks, and they found out that they were actually breeding mosquitoes instead of killing them.”

False Sense of Security

Relying on ineffective DIY traps may lead homeowners to neglect other crucial mosquito control measures. This can leave them vulnerable to mosquito-borne diseases, as demonstrated by the Key West outbreak.

Effective Mosquito Control Alternatives

Just because the above methods don’t work doesn’t mean homeowners are helpless against mosquitoes. 

In 2009 a dengue fever outbreak occurred in Old Town, Florida.  3-5% of Old Town residents were infected with dengue virus over just three months. Researchers documented what did and didn't correlate with infection. We'll share the most effective methods with you.

The good news? 

There are plenty of things a homeowner can do to reduce the size of the mosquito population in and around their home. Read our complete guide to getting rid of mosquitoes in your yard for a deep dive, but we have the highlights below. 

Eliminate Standing Water

Remove potential breeding sites by regularly emptying standing water from flowerpots, birdbaths, and other containers. The Key West study found that residents who emptied containers of standing water weekly were less likely to be infected with dengue.

Use EPA-Registered Traps and Repellents

There are plenty of well researched mosquito traps on the market today. Check out our review of the best mosquito traps to see our pick. 

Apply mosquito repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon-eucalyptus when outdoors. The study in Key West showed that use of DEET-containing repellents was associated with a lower likelihood of dengue infection.

Install or Repair Screens

Ensure your home's window and door screens are intact to prevent mosquitoes from entering. The Key West study found that certain household practices were associated with a higher risk of dengue infection. These included keeping windows open more than 50% of the time.

Use Air Conditioning

When possible, use air conditioning instead of opening windows for cooling. The Key West research found that people who used air conditioning more than 50% of the time were less likely to contract dengue.

Use inexpensive, off-the-shelf products

Mosquito dunk pucks create attractive environments for females to lay eggs in. The dunks release bacteria that are consumed by the larvae and cause their death. While they won't help with adult mosquitoes they can make it more difficult for the mosquitoes to reproduce. 

Consider Professional Services

For severe mosquito problems, consult with a professional pest control service that can provide targeted, effective solutions.

Conclusion

While the allure of DIY mosquito traps is understandable, the reality is that most homemade solutions are ineffective and can sometimes make the problem worse. The Key West dengue outbreak serves as a reminder of the importance of effective mosquito control. 

Instead of relying on unproven methods, focus on scientifically-backed prevention techniques and consider professional help for persistent mosquito issues. By understanding why DIY traps fail, you can make more informed decisions about protecting your home and family from these pesky and potentially dangerous insects.

[1] Radke, E. G., Gregory, C. J., Kintziger, K. W., Sauber-Schatz, E. K., Hunsperger, E. A., Gallagher, G. R., ... & Blackmore, C. G. (2012). Dengue outbreak in Key West, Florida, USA, 2009. Emerging infectious diseases, 18(1), 88-94.

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