
Mosquito bites can cause various health problems, from mild irritation to life-threatening illnesses such as malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus. DIY mosquito traps offer a safe, effective, affordable, and environmentally friendly solution. Here are a few simple DIY mosquito traps to keep the skeeters away.
If you’d rather click Add to Cart instead, check out these 7 Best Mosquito Traps to keep mosquitoes away from your yard.
Mosquito Life Cycle

To control and prevent mosquitoes effectively, it’s important to understand their life cycle. Knowing the different phases of their life cycle helps us target specific areas and prevent reproduction, which reduces population growth. The mosquito life cycle includes four phases:
- Egg stage: Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water, such as ponds, puddles, or containers. The eggs are typically found in clusters or groups, known as “rafts,” that float on the surface of the water.
- Larva stage: Mosquito larvae, also known as “wrigglers,” develop from the eggs. For breathing, they use a specialized tube called a siphon. They live in water and normally stay near the surface.
- Pupa stage: Mosquito larvae go through several molting stages before becoming pupae. They remain in the water and move by flipping their tails, which is why they are often called “tumblers.”
- Adult stage: Mosquitoes emerge from pupal cases as adults and rest on the surface of the water until their wings dry out and harden.
Know Your Enemy: Mosquito Behavior
When creating DIY mosquito traps, place them where mosquitoes are known to congregate, such as around standing water or in shaded areas of the yard. Here are some key facts to keep in mind:
- Mosquitoes tend to stay in cool, shaded areas until dusk.
- Mosquitoes usually fly 4 to 6 feet above the ground but can fly higher or lower.
- Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors.
- Mosquitoes are drawn to various scents, including carbon dioxide, sweat, lactic acid, floral and fruity scents, and those produced by bacteria and fungi.
- Mosquitoes can develop from larvae to pupae in just a bottle cap full of water.
3 Types of DIY Traps for Mosquitoes
Here are three easy-to-make mosquito traps using items you may already have at home. Use one or a combination to keep the bloodsuckers at bay.
Bottle Trap
This trap uses a 2-liter bottle and mixture of sugar and yeast to create carbon dioxide, which attracts mosquitoes. Once they enter the trap, they are unable to escape.
Ovitrap
An ovitrap attracts female mosquitoes looking for a water source to lay their eggs. The female mosquitoes lay their eggs in the water, where the developing mosquitoes cannot escape. The water can be treated with a pesticide that kills the larvae.
Fan Trap

A fan trap uses a fan to create a strong airflow that sucks mosquitoes into the trap. Once inside, the mosquitoes cannot escape and eventually die. Although this method is less effective than the others, it is still a working DIY solution.
How to Make a Bottle Trap
For a simple and effective homemade mosquito trap, consider using a plastic bottle trap. This method relies on sugar and yeast to produce carbon dioxide, which attracts mosquitoes. Once the pesky insects enter the trap, they are unable to escape.
Supplies needed for a bottle trap:
- One 2-liter bottle (colored bottles work best)
- 4 tablespoons of sugar (white or brown sugar will work)
- 0.70 ounces of brewer’s yeast (fresh or freeze-dried)
- 1 cup of hot water
- Tape
- Black cardboard or a dark cover (if using a clear bottle)
- Scissors
For hanging the trap (optional):
- String
- Drill
Steps to make a bottle trap:
- Cut off the top of a plastic soda bottle about an inch above the point where the bottle becomes thinner. Then, invert it so that the mouth of the bottle is inside the base.
- Mix sugar with warm water in the bottom half of the bottle. Add yeast, but don’t mix. Mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide produced as the yeast slowly ferments the sugar, creating a mosquito magnet.
- Ensure that the spout is the only access point for mosquitoes. Use strong, durable tape to seal the edges.
- If using a clear bottle, cover it with a dark cloth, black sock, or paper, as mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors. Alternatively, use a tinted bottle, and green ones will work too.
- Place the trap in an area where mosquitoes are present. Start your search for mosquitoes in or around areas that are shaded or that have standing water.
- Clean or replace the trap regularly to prevent the accumulation of dead mosquitoes and other debris.
To hang the trap (optional), follow these steps:
- Drill two holes near the top of the bottle.
- Thread a piece of string through the holes.
- Tie the string and hang the trap in a shaded area where mosquitoes are found.
Alternatively, you can hang a large can and place the bottle inside. Here’s how:
- Use a drill to create two holes near the top of the can, one on each side.
- Tie a knot with some string and thread it through the holes.
- Hang the can with the string, and place the bottle inside. You can easily change the bottle without taking it down from the hanging position every time.
How to Make an Ovitrap Mosquito Trap

An ovitrap trap uses standing water to attract and catch female mosquitoes. Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water, but the screen on the ovitrap prevents developed mosquitoes from escaping.
Supplies needed for an ovitrap:
- Use a plastic container, such as a large yogurt tub.
- Black material: paper, paint, electrical tape, or sock
- Silicone-based glue or a tube of silicone sealant (optional)
- Metal screen
- 18- or 20-gauge wire or heavy-duty twine
- Drill
- Wire cutters
- Scissors
- Chalk or marker
- Water
- Grass, hay, or dry dog food
- Larvicide (optional)
Steps to make an ovitrap:
- Paint the outside of the container black, or cover it with black paper or tape. Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors.
Note: Alternatively, you can glue the toe of a black sock to the bottom of the container’s interior. Once it is dry, pull the rest of the sock up over the rim to cover the outside of the container. - Trace the top of one of your containers onto the metal screening using chalk or marker. Use scissors to cut out the screen.
- Drill two small holes near the top of your container, wide enough to fit the wire or heavy twine through.
- Drill another 1/4-inch hole directly below the hole you drilled. This hole will let out extra water, stopping it from going higher than the metal screen. Brad point drill bits work well, or you can use a heated nail to pierce it carefully.
- Cut some pieces of wire or twine. The length is up to you, but give yourself room to adjust.
- Carefully press the metal screen into the top of the container, ensuring it is positioned above the 1/4″ hole drilled in Step 4.
- Thread the wire or twine through the small upper holes that you drilled in Step 3. Then, twist the wires like a twist tie or tie knots at the end of the twine to secure it in place.
- Pour stagnant water into the trap, or add grass clippings, hay, or dog kibble to fresh water.
- For extra effectiveness, you can add Mosquito Bits or another larvicide to kill mosquitoes before they develop.
- Hang the trap in an area where mosquitoes are present, such as around standing water (e.g., bird baths) or shaded areas (e.g., patios, under decks).
- Regularly check the trap and clean or replace it as needed.
Mosquito Ovitrap with a 5-Gallon Bucket
Here is a larger variation of an ovitrap made with a bucket. Always take precautions to prevent children and small animals from falling into containers, as even a small amount of water can result in drowning.
What You Need:
- 5-gallon bucket (spray paint black to attract mosquitoes)
- Straw or hay
- Water (If available, stagnant water from a rain barrel works well)
- Larvicide, such as a mosquito donut or another form containing Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis (Bti)
- Chicken wire or similar screening
To create a mosquito ovitrap using a 5-gallon bucket, follow these steps:
- Drill several small holes around the top of the bucket to allow mosquitoes to enter.
- Fill the bucket with water until it is about three-quarters full.
- Add a small amount of straw or hay to the water to create a resting place for the mosquitoes.
- Add mosquito dunks or another form containing (Bti) to the water.
- Attach chicken wire or similar screening to the top of the bucket to prevent animals or children from getting into it and to keep the trap from filling up with leaves and other debris.
- Place the trap in a shaded area of your yard, away from areas where people will be spending time.
- Empty and refill the trap every 2-3 weeks, and clean it thoroughly before refilling. Replace the Bti periodically according to the package directions.
How to Make a Fan Trap
Creating a mosquito trap using a fan is a simple and environmentally friendly way to eliminate mosquitoes. The sound and movement created by the fan attract mosquitoes, causing them to get caught and held against the mesh or netting by the airflow
Supplies needed for a fan trap:
- A 20-inch box fan
- Mosquito netting or fine window screen
- Zip ties or heavy-duty magnets
- 50-50 blend of 70 percent isopropyl alcohol and water in a spray bottle (optional)
Steps to make a fan trap:
- Cut metal mesh or fabric to fit the fan. You can also use an old window screen, mosquito netting, or tulle.
- Hold the screen against the back of the fan (intake side) where the motor is located. Net or fabric can be attached with glue, or use zip ties, duct tape, or strong magnets for heavier materials.
- Place the fan near areas where mosquitoes are commonly found, and turn it on.
- The mosquitoes will eventually dry out and die. However, you can kill them by lightly spraying the mesh with a 50-50 mixture of 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol and water, carefully avoiding the fan’s motor.
Tips for Effective Mosquito Control
During the summer, mosquitoes are a significant problem. Their bites can cause itching and spread life-threatening diseases. One way to manage the mosquito population is by using traps as part of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to mosquito control.
To get rid of mosquitoes outside, follow these tips:
- Eliminate breeding grounds: Remove anything in your yard that can collect water, such as old tires, buckets, and bird baths, to prevent standing water from forming. Clean your gutters and remove any debris.
- Use structural barriers: To prevent mosquitoes from entering your home, use window screens and mosquito nets. Check that your screens are in good condition and don’t have any holes. You can also use weather stripping to seal any gaps around your doors and windows.
- Use a larvicide: Products such as mosquito dunks contain the active ingredient Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, or Bti, an effective and natural way to kill mosquito larvae in standing water. It is safe to use around children and pets.
- Treat mosquito infestations: Consider using an insecticide if the mosquito problem is severe. Use mosquito yard sprays or foggers labeled explicitly for this purpose. Follow the instructions closely, or consider contacting Pest Gnome to connect you to the best mosquito control experts in your area
Note: Fogging and yard sprays are a temporary solution and can harm beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies if used incorrectly.
FAQ: Mosquito Traps
Mosquito traps attract mosquitoes using various methods, including carbon dioxide, heat, moisture, or scents. Once the mosquitoes enter the trap, they are captured and killed or held in until they die.
Yes, mosquito traps are safe for pets and children if used appropriately. Always read the instructions carefully when using pesticides and take necessary precautions, such as keeping the trap out of reach of children and pets.
Yes, mosquito traps can reduce the mosquito population in your yard or home. However, they are not a complete solution and should be used with other mosquito control methods as part of an Integrated Pest Management plan.
Conclusion
Remember, effective mosquito control is all about prevention. By taking these steps, you can reduce the mosquito population in your yard and enjoy your summer without the annoyance of these tiny bloodsuckers. If you need professional mosquito treatments, Pest Gnome connects you with your area’s best pest control experts.
Main Image Credit: Kwangmoozaa / Canva Pro / License
Sources:
University of Idaho Extension – How to Make Homemade Insect Traps
University of Florida (IFAS) – Do-It-Yourself Insect Pest Traps
University of Maryland Extension – Controlling Mosquitoes
University of Maryland Department of Agriculture – Mosquito Control Program
Virginia Tech – Virginia Tech Researchers Conduct Proof-Of-Concept Study On Mosquito Scent Preferences
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Success in Mosquito Control: An Integrated Approach
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Pesticides Used To Control Adult Mosquitoes