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Reclaim your backyard with these 3 DIY bug traps

June 30, 2016

This weekend, I'm going to try to build a bug trap, thanks to some advice from Roxanne Connelly, an entomologist at the University of Florida, and Ty Ashcraft, an exterminator at Holistic Pet Solutions in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Mosquitoes love me, and I have the bites to prove it. Whenever I venture into the backyard, I have to cover myself with a thick layer of repellent that drives away both bugs and people with its terrible odor. So this weekend, I'm going to try to build a bug trap, thanks to some advice from Roxanne Connelly, an entomologist at the University of Florida, and Ty Ashcraft, an exterminator at Holistic Pet Solutions in Charlotte, North Carolina.

According to Popular Science: "Not all mosquitoes are attracted to the same bait. Connelly suggests a low-tech “ovitrap,” which uses standing water to lure Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti, two common breeds. First, cut off the top of a two-liter plastic bottle, and spray-paint the outside a solid black. Then drill two 3/8-inch overflow holes below the brim. Cover them, and the top, with fine mesh. Secure a wet cloth around the brim (soak it once a day) and fill the trap with water. Eggs, laid on the fabric, will hatch, fall through the mesh, and grow too large to escape."

To learn more, read "Three DIY Bug Traps That Actually Work" from Popular Science.

About the Author

Alexis Gajewski | Senior Content Strategist

Alexis Gajewski has over 15 years of experience in the maintenance, reliability, operations, and manufacturing space. She joined Plant Services in 2008 and works to bring readers the news, insight, and information they need to make the right decisions for their plants. Alexis also authors “The Lighter Side of Manufacturing,” a blog that highlights the fun and innovative advances in the industrial sector. 

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