Hello guys, I'll be talking about constructing a local mosquito trap in this post. I'll talk about how and why the trap works after the visual explanations on how I constructed mine. But before that, why did I need it.. I could have used an insecticide, right?
Recently, I've been having several experiences with these
anopheles(female mosquitoes), causing I and my family to visit the
hospital more often. With the price of malaria drugs rising, one doesn't
need to think twice before he devices cheaper means of getting rid of
the problem. After all, they say Prevention is better than Cure right?
What did I need?
For my small portable mosquito trap, I just needed a little amount of the essentials.
•Yeast(I gram)
•White Sugar or Brown(Molasses) Sugar(1/4 cup)
• A Measuring Device(If available)
• A Plastic Bottle about 1 litre
•A Cup of Hot Water
With these, I was set for the construction.
Step 1:
I began by cutting the plastic bottle into two equal halves while heating the water with an electric heater.
Step 2:
I poured the sugar into the bottom half of the bottle and then poured the heated water in
Care should be taken here as heated water may disfigure the bottle. Hence, it is advisable to mix the heated water and and sugar in a container that has high resistance to heat(but it should NOT
be a metal). It shouldn't be a metal because there might be a reaction
between the metal and the heated sugar solution which may induce a slow
down of the required end product or alter it totally. The heat is needed
to dissolve the solute -sugar- very well.
Step 3:
I allowed the mixture(sugar solution) to cool down for some time
This cooling is needed because introducing yeast into hot water
will kill the yeast instantly. Now, it is pertinent we note here that
yeast is a fungus, thus a living organism.
Step 4:
I measured out one gram of yeast on the measuring device.
If a measuring device isn't available, all that is needed in the
next step would be to pour enough yeast to cover the surface area of the
sugar solution.
Step 5:
I poured the yeast into the sugar solution
Here, one doesn't need to stir, because the yeast gradually
circulates and takes over the solution after few minutes, as seen below
Step 6:
I turned the upper half of the plastic bottle and inserted it into the bottom half now containing the solution
It is also pertinent to note that, the opening tip of the upper half
must not touch the solution as to prevent mosquitoes from being able to
fly out when they are trapped in the water.
Step 7:
I placed it in the toilet where I see the mosquitoes most. I placed it in a position that will be hard to be knocked over by somebody or a child.
How does this trap work?
The yeast being a fungus eats or feeds on the sugar in the
solution. Yeasts feed on sugars and starches. They turn this food(sugar)
into energy and release carbon dioxide gas as a result. This process is
known as fermentation.
This process releases carbon dioxide which attracts mosquitoes.
Why does it attract mosquitoes?
When active (live) yeast has both sugar and oxygen available to it, it
'breathes' by a process called aerobic respiration. In this reaction,
yeast cells use glucose (sugar) and oxygen (from the air) to produce
energy. They also produce water and carbon dioxide (a gas). This is the
same chemical process used by humans.
Mosquitoes usually use the carbon dioxide we produce through respiration to locate us. Thus, when the yeast feeds on the sugar and produces carbon dioxide, they'll be attracted to it.
With the shape of the trap, when the mosquitoes go down into the trap
to see the source of gas, they'll be trapped. Mosquitoes don't employ
much reasoning in their decision making and they don't fly vertically
upwards, so they'll hardly escape, eventually they'll die of starvation
or drowning.
Is the carbon dioxide dangerous to health?
No. The air we breath contains more carbon and other inert gases than the amount the trap produces.
How long can it last?
As long as it takes to be ineffective. Normally, it becomes when
there are a lot of mosquitoes trapped inside. But basically, the liquid
should be changed after two weeks.
Why I love this trap?
I know this trap wouldn't be enough to battle all the mosquitoes
alone but it is more health friendly and cheaper than insecticides.
Also, it is renewable and can be used for a long time. Moreover, some
insecticides don't kill all mosquitoes but this piece of innovation
does.
Lastly, if combined, they will surely exterminate mosquitoes completely.
Thank you for reading this post on my blog.
Do you have anything you might want to say about this trap?
You can drop it in the comment box -I'd appreciate.
Merci!
References
•Wikipedia -Yeast
•Scientific American -Proving Yeast is a Fungus
•Pest World