DIY Homemade Mosquito Trap [That Actually Works!]

In Outdoors by M.D. Creekmore

Homemade Mosquito Trap - girl spraying on mosquito repellent

By Matt D

You can keep mosquitoes away from your home for good with a few homemade mosquito traps and other simple and easy DIY steps that you can do at home cheaply and quickly…

(Note: If you want to skip all of the details about mosquitoes and how they can spread sickness and disease and get right to the details of how to make a homemade mosquito trap then simply scroll half-way down the page to get all of the nut and bolts details about how to make a DIY homemade mosquito trap…  

Okay, then let’s get started…

Anyone who loves the outdoors knows mosquitoes can be a nuisance. Their relentless search for blood and whining buzz can drive even the toughest outdoor enthusiasts indoors with ease. Along with the allergic reaction that causes itchy red bumps, mosquito bites pose numerous health risks to humans all around the globe.

From the West Nile and Zika viruses to malaria and yellow fever, illnesses spread by mosquitoes can be serious and even potentially deadly (such as microcephaly and encephalitis).

How do mosquitoes spread disease?

mosquito bugMosquitoes are primary vectors for numerous human diseases, which together infect and kill millions of humans each year. The female mosquito sucks blood because it provides nutrients for its eggs. Besides drawing blood when they bite, female mosquitoes also inject an enzyme to prevent blood from clotting.

Therefore, there’s an exchange of fluids between your bloodstream and the mosquito. Mosquitoes are vectors which carry infections between animals and humans.

When the mosquito feeds off an animal or person with a disease, it passes on the infection when it bites another person or animal. The itchy red bumps are an allergic reaction to this enzyme. Mosquitoes find their targets using chemical signals, observing our movements, and by detecting the infrared radiation emitted by warm blood.

Learning how mosquitoes spread disease and how to control them is an important step toward protecting yourself and your loved ones from mosquito bites and the diseases they spread.

The dangers of mosquitoes

According to the WHO (World Health Organization), mosquitoes infect more than 300 million people per year with Dengue and malaria, just two of the most dangerous illnesses mosquitoes can carry. Of those 300 million people, 800,000 die from malaria, and another 20,000 people from Dengue.

West Nile virus deaths illustration

Since 2001, more than 30,000 people in the United States have been infected with the West Nile Virus (WNV) which has resulted in 1,200 deaths. In 2002, the cost of West Nile Virus-related health care alone in the United States was estimated at $200 million.

Besides carrying infections that can be transmitted to humans, mosquitoes can also transmit several parasites and diseases that dogs and humans are very susceptible to (such as West Nile Virus, eastern equine encephalitis, and dog heartworm). Mosquitoes have a 4-stage life cycle (egg-larva-pupa-adult) and they lay their eggs in different breeding areas such as:

  • Ponds
  • Lakes
  • Tree holes
  • Toys
  • Old tires
  • Tarpaulins or plastic covers
  • Buckets
  • Potted plant saucers and trays

These sites are also potential breeding areas for some of the most dangerous species such as the Asian tiger mosquito.

What types of illnesses do mosquitoes spread?

🦟 Chikungunya

Most commonly found in North and South America, Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Asia and Europe, the chikungunya virus is now spreading in the United States. Chikungunya is transmitted by a mosquito species known as the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

It causes fever, severe muscle and joint pain, nausea, tiredness, headache, and a rash that may last several weeks. Patients usually need fluids and rest until symptoms go away. Doctors may also suggest pain relief medication.

🦟 Zika

Zika Virus is transmitted by the Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito) and Aedes aegypti mosquito. These mosquito species breed entirely around the home. Zika is found in the Pacific region, Mexico, South East Asia, Africa, and North and South America. Symptoms include joint and muscle pain, mild fever, irritated eyes (pinkeye), a skin rash and headache.

The symptoms are usually mild and run their course in less than 7 days. However, if a pregnant woman is infected, Zika can also impact the unborn child. Zika has also been linked to more serious health problems such as a birth defect known as microcephaly and a nervous system disorder called Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Microcephaly: This is a birth defect that causes the baby’s head to be abnormally small and not fully developed. Babies with Microcephaly may have intellectual and developmental delays.

Guillain-Barre: This nervous system disorder usually causes general weakness and mild paralysis. However, most victims recover over time. There’s no vaccine to prevent Zika virus.

🦟 West Nile Virus (WNV)

West Nile Virus is found in Asia, Africa, Europe, North and South America, and the Middle East. WNV is transmitted by the Southern House Mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus) and the severe version of the virus (neuroinvasive WNV) can be fatal.

Homemade Mosquito Trap

Although some people who get WNV do not have any symptoms, 1 in 5 will have flu-like symptoms such as mild fever, headache, a stiff neck, and weakness of the muscle. Some of the severe symptoms of WNV include confusion, convulsions, and coma.

However, the fatality rate of WNV is less than 1%. The virus usually starts out as a bird disease which is then spread from bird to bird by mosquitoes. WNV spreads to humans when a mosquito feeds on an infected bird and then bites a human.

However, man is the dead-end host (the virus cannot be spread from human to human). Neuroinvasive WNV can also cause more serious infections that cause meningitis or brain swelling.

🦟 Malaria

Malaria is the oldest illness that is caused by mosquito bites. The disease is transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito. Areasa that have the most cases of malaria include the Pacific islands (such as Papua New Guinea) and Sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria causes over 400,000 deaths worldwide per year. Its symptoms include headache, fever, and vomiting.

🦟 Yellow fever

Yellow fever is found in Latin America and Africa and it is transmitted by a mosquito species known as the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Although some people who get the disease won’t notice anything, some may notice symptoms such as muscle and back pain, headache, fever, vomiting, and lack of appetite.

Yellow fever can be fatal and some people may feel tired and weak for several months. Some people who notice mild symptoms at first may develop serious symptoms such once they start feeling better, including bleeding, jaundice and high fever. Yellow fever can cause kidney and liver failure, and it can be fatal.

🦟 Encephalitis

Mosquitoes can transmit viruses that can cause inflammation around the brain and spinal cord. The type of encephalitis you get usually depends on your location:

  • LaCrosse encephalitis: States on the eastern side of the Mississippi River
  • Eastern Equine encephalitis: the Caribbean, South America, and the Gulf Coast, Atlantic, and Great Lakes States.
  • Saint Louis encephalitis: Throughout the United States, especially the Gulf of Mexico and Florida states.
  • Japanese encephalitis: Western Pacific and Asia.

Some of the mild symptoms of encephalitis include sore throat and mild fever. However, you should seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms such as seizures, muscle weakness, and confusion, to help prevent brain damage and other serious complications. Encephalitis can be fatal.

🦟 Dengue Fever

Found in Asia, Africa, Europe and North, and South America, Dengue Virus is transmitted by a mosquito species known as the Aedes aegypti mosquito. Symptoms of Dengue fever include joint and muscle pain, nausea, headache, and a fever. Some people may get a high fever and bleed a little from the gums or nose.

Dengue can be very uncomfortable and the only things you can do is treating the symptoms and resting.

Some victims may develop a more severe form of dengue fever, called dengue hemorrhagic fever, which causes the small blood vessels to become leaky. If fluid starts building up in the lungs and belly, the patient should seek medical care immediately. In the last 15 years, there have been dengue fever outbreaks in the Florida Keys, South Texas, and

🦟 Dog Heart Worm

This is a parasitic roundworm that affects various animals including dogs. The heartworm takes residence in the heart as it grows. This worm is a major concern in dogs.

What can you do to keep mosquitoes away from your home?

Eliminate stagnant water 👍

Many female mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water. Make sure there is no stagnant water anywhere around your house including in open cans, buckets, old tires, toys, plates under flower pots and even in bottle caps.

Improperly drained yards, kiddie pools, and ponds can also be breeding spots for mosquitoes.

Since most mosquito breeds can’t fly too far, eliminating breeding grounds can help reduce the number of mosquitoes that plague your home. It is also important to change the water in your bird bath regularly and ensure your yard has proper drainage.

Check hidden spots 👍

Inspect areas such as gutters, which can easily collect water and become mosquito breeding spots. It’s also important to replace any window screens that are broken, ripped, or nor fitting well, especially if you live in a hot, humid area.

Clean up debris 👍

Some mosquito species lay their eggs in damp soil and debris such as leaf piles and decaying logs. Be sure to get eliminate debris and leaves around your home and from gutters, too. You may also consider mowing your lawn regularly and trimming your trees to increase light levels, reduce shade in your yard and make the landscape less habitable to mosquitoes.

Make mosquito-repelling plants part of your landscape 👍

The essential oils and fragrances in some plants such as marigolds and lavender naturally repel mosquitoes. Therefore, if you really enjoy spending time on your patio or deck, plant some of these plants around the perimeter of your yard or simply pot them up and place them around your home to ward off mosquitoes and improve the aesthetic appeal of your yard.

Other plants that can help keep mosquitoes at bay include lemongrass, catnip, peppermint, sage, basil, citronella, bee balm rosemary, and ageratum.

Use backyard mosquito and bug control 👍

Treating your yard can also help reduce mosquito infestations. You should spray during the day because this is when mosquitoes tend to hide in humid areas such as thick brush, tree hollows, grass, and shrubs.

Light lanterns or candles that contain oil repellents 👍

You can keep mosquitoes away from your porch or patio by lighting lanterns or candles that contain essential oils that repel mosquitoes. These essential oils include lavender, eucalyptus, geraniol, clove, cedarwood, and lemongrass. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that mosquito-repelling candles and lanterns work best in small areas with very little air movement.

How to make a homemade mosquito trap

You can also set mosquito traps to keep these annoying pests away from your patio or porch. However, most types of mosquito traps need to be changed on a regular basis.

If you’re having a barbeque or outdoor party, mosquito traps can be a very effective way of protecting guests from mosquito bites, especially when the traps are used along with other mosquito control methods such as repellents.

Here are some simple DIY mosquito trapping ideas that really work:

Photo Instructions of How to Make a Homemade Mosquito Trap 

Homemade Mosquito Trap bottle and bait

Homemade Mosquito Trap bottle and bait

Items needed:

✅ 1 cup of water

              ✅ 1/4 cup of brown sugar

✅ 1 gram of yeast

✅ 1 2-liter bottle 


1. Cut the plastic bottle in half.

Change the solution every 2 weeks for continuous control.

If you don’t like making things or can’t get this thing to work correctly for some strange reason, then you can always try one of these that are guaranteed to work.

Video Explanation of a DIY Homemade Mosquito Trap

i.Use limes and cloves 👍

Slice limes in half and adorn them with cloves. Surround your outdoor area with the fruits to create a mosquito-free zone.

ii.Trick mosquitoes into drowning 👍

Fill a bucket with water and add detergent into it. Mosquitoes will be attracted to the stagnant water you’ve provided because they need it to lay their eggs in. However, the water will have no surface tension due to the detergent you’ve added and the mosquitoes will drown.

You can increase the efficiency of this trap by aiming a light source to the water because mosquitoes are also attracted to light.

How can you stop mosquitoes from biting? 👍

Whether you’re swimming, riding your bike, hiking, or enjoying other outdoor activities, mosquitoes will always find a way to ruin the fun. You can make yourself less desirable to mosquitoes by trying some of these ideas:

·Skip the perfume 👍

Many lotions, perfume, deodorant, and even hairspray, attract mosquitoes to us. If mosquitoes seem to be particularly attracted to you, try wearing scents that have a strong eucalyptus, lavender, basil or even rosemary scents.

·Wear long sleeve shirts and pants 👍

If you’re planning an outdoor adventure, wear clothes that will help keep away mosquitoes. Loose fabrics and light colors work best. A light-colored hat can also help keep mosquitoes away from your head and face.

·Apply repellent 👍

Sprays or lotions containing IR3535, DEET, lemon oil, eucalyptus oil, or Picaridin are particularly effective when it comes to keeping mosquitoes away. Mosquito repellents usually wear off after a few hours and you may have to apply again when necessary. Lotions and sprays containing DEET are safe even for children when used as directed.

·Spray yourself with vanilla 👍

Add three teaspoons of vanilla to a cup of water and put the solution in a spritz bottle. Simply spray yourself when you’re outside biking, hiking or enjoying other outdoor activities. Vanilla will mask your body odor and help keep mosquitoes away.

·Cover your feet 👍

Mosquitoes love bacteria and sweat, making your feet one of the prime blood sucking spots. In fact, the mosquito species known as Aedes aegypti, which is responsible for spreading the Zika virus, tend to bite the lower parts of the body. You can consider wearing high socks or high-top sneakers.

Human and mosquito movement is to blame for transferring uncommon mosquito-borne diseases to new areas. Climate change also contributes by pushing mosquitoes into more suitable areas.

However, these simple ideas can help you keep mosquitoes away from your home and prevent them from biting.

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