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How to Make a Bug Catcher: Lure and Trap Stubborn Pests

If you’re also one of those people who arealways irritated by annoying pests, you must be craving to finally get back at them, especially if they are taking over your home. They not only spread pathogens but can also make you severely sick. If you’re ready to say bye to the insects occupying your home investigate these top ideas on how to make a bug catcher.

Spray repellents are only temporarily effective and extremely dangerous for our health. If possible, you should always opt for anatural solution for dealing with pests. From fruit flies to mosquitoes to cockroaches, each species has its strengths and weaknesses. There’s a variety of different bug catcher modifications available that will help you with your specific problem.

Check out this cheat sheet and learn more about the dangers of bugs and the need for their removal. The post will also cover basic techniques for making different types of bug catchers suitable for eliminating various kinds of pests.

Where and Why Is It Essential to Remove Bugs?

One reason why you surely want to get rid of bugs is because of their annoyance. Despite the fact that they can get on your nerves you should also eliminate them due to safety concerns. Pests are real adventurers that like exploring and often end up in dirty areas. From there, they can make it to your home, pollute your food sources, and breed.

Bug in the Yard

As if that isn’t terrifying enough, some species such as mosquitoes and flies can bite you and cause swelling, itching, or even allergic reactions. Certain bugs are also well-known for spreading severe diseases.

While getting rid of pests with the use of spray repellents is easy, this solution is only temporary and is just as dangerous, if not even more, than the bugs themselves. Pest repellents are known to consist of carcinogenic and toxic chemicals that can do nothing but harm to your body when inhaled or absorbed through theskin.

Vital Insect Control Areas

Ideally, you would have a bug-free home but in reality that just isn’t possible most of the times. Therefore, it is essential that you focus on the areas that require protection from bugs the most.

  • Garden area. This is often bugs’ haven where they choose to lay eggs and leave excrement. These acts can lead to food pollution and cross-contamination.
  • Food storages. Pests are always on the lookout for food, may it be fresh or rotten. They can also quickly make their way inside the packaging.
  • Kitchen and dining room. Again, food is what will attract bugs to your kitchen. Make sure to clean it regularly and set traps if necessary.
  • Animal raising areas. Having animals always attract unwanted pests. You can place bug catchers around the fence or barn to keep your pets

Food Storage

Important note: Make sure not to use bug catchers that could harm the bees or avoid using them when bees are actively pollinating the plants around your home.

Selecting and Making the Right Bug Catcher

If you’re interested in catching pests, you should first determine what they actually are. Different species respond differently to a specific type of trap. If the catcher is designed to capture, let’s say cockroaches, for example, then it should only be used to trap cockroaches. It most likely won’t be as effective in catching other bugs.

Ultimate Flying Pests Catcher

This type of trap is very effective at catching flying pests. Though it won’t help you eliminate ticks, fleas, and similar bugs, it is an excellent solution for dealing with mosquitoes, flies, fruit flies, wasps, and hornets.

The purpose of this trap is to lure the insects through the funnel of the bottle with the help of bait. Once they get inside, they find themselves trapped and are unable to fly out. Eventually, they fall in the bait on the bottom of the bottle and die.

If you want to prepare this flying pests catcher, you will need a plastic bottle, tape, and scissors or a knife. If you wish to hang it somewhere, make sure to get some wire as well.

  1. Cut off the top of the plastic bottle at aroundone-fourthof the way down from the bottle cap. If you are dealing with ahome infestation, a small 0.5-liter bottle will do the trick. If the trap is intended to be used outside, however, a 2-liter bottle would make a better choice.
  2. Place the top of the bottle that you have cut off into the bottom portion by turning it upside down.
  3. Tape the cut edges together to seal the cracks and prevent pests from escaping from the bottle.
  4. Place appropriate bait at the bottle bottom. Different pests will respond differently based on what you select as bait.

Mosquitoes Bait

While water alone does attract mosquitoes, you might want to speed up that process. To do that, mix quarter cup of brown sugar with 1 cup of hot water and let the solution cool. After that, it’s ready for pouring into the plastic bottle. Once it’s in, add one gram of yeast,and your trap is ready.

Make Mosquito trap

There is no need for mixing the yeast. It will begin emitting carbon dioxide which is a significant attraction for the mosquitoes.

Home Flies and Fruit Flies Bait

Flies are attracted to sweet things such as decomposing fruits or cane sugar. You can also add sweet juice to the bait. In order to keep the bees out, mix in a teaspoon of vinegar.

Wasps and Hornets Bait

These big guns require a slightly different approach to be dealt with than other pests. Prepare a solution of cooking oil and a naturally sweet soda drink. Artificial sweeteners do not affect the pests as they don’t contain any sugar.

Pour the solution into a bug catcher and make sure itis located in a safe area away from where people are commonly passing. Avoid placing the catcher around the terrace, porch, entryways, etc.

Hornets and wasps are more massive than other flying insects so they will quickly get tired and fall into the bait. As they are also smarter, some of them might find their way out of the bottle. To prevent that, you can make the funnel of the bottle more narrow.

Stink Bugs Bait

Stink bugs are some of the most pervasive insects there are. Due to their powerful smelly odor that they use to protect themselves, stink bugs can make your home uninhabitable.

Stink Bugs

To trap them in this bug catcher, you are advised to use a battery-powered light as bait. It will attract these pests along with many others and is a perfect solution for the use in dark areas where stink bugs may be hiding.

Fruit Flies Catcher

Making a trap for fruit flies is simple. Simply prepare a quart-size bowl with a sudsy mixture of dish soap and water. In another small bowl, add quarter cup of red-wine vinegar and let it float in the center. The scent of vinegar will attract the fruit flies, but they will soon get stuck in the suds. Repeat this technique for a few days to keep these critters at bay.

Alternatively, you can also trap fruit flies without harming them. Get a plastic bowl or a glass jar and a piece of plastic wrap that is big enough to cover the bowl. For the bait, you should mix some syrup, honey, or sugar with wine, beer, or vinegar. If you want to make sure they die, you can also add some oil. Dilute the solution with water and mix well. Then, use a toothpick to poke several holes into the wrap and proceed to stretch it over the jar or bowl.

Fruit Flies Catcher
Image credit: fivegallonideas.com

Fruit flies will be attracted to the bait and will make their way through the holes in the wrap. From there, they won’t be able to get out and will be stuck on the inner side of the cover. This will allow you to either kill them or release them into the wild.

Bug Catcher Kids Edition

This fun and simple bug catcher only requires a jar, red and black paint, pipe cleaners, glue, hot glue gun, and some white or pink pompoms. Adding decoration will make the bug catcher ideal for kids!

Remove the lid of the jar and make several holes in the cover. Paint the outside of the lid with red or any color that you desire and let it dry. When the paint is dry, add black spots to the holes on top of the lid. While waiting for the spots to dry, you can prepare “bug’s eyes” by painting a black spot on the center of each white pompoms.

Next, combine two pipe cleaners by twisting the ends together. Wrap them around the outside edge of the jar lid, leaving two even ends to form antennae. Glue a red or pink pom poms to the top of the antenna using a glue gun. Then, attach the white pom poms eyes to the other side of the lid.

Jar Bug Catcher
Image credit: thecouponproject.com

You can add some flowers, twigs, and grasses inside the jar and close the lid. Your kid is now ready to hunt bugs in the wild!

Mosquito Trap

Since not all mosquitoes are drawn to the same bait, it is recommended to use an “ovitrap,” which requires standing water to attract Aedesaegypti and Aedesalbopictus, two common breeds. To make this, cut off the top part of a two-liter plastic bottle. Spray-paint the outside of the bottle with black. Then, make 3/8-inch overflow holes below the brim. Use a fine mesh to cover them and the top. Take a wet cloth and wrap it around the rim, making sure that you soak it once a day.

Then, fill this trap with water. Eggs that will be laid on the cloth will hatch and fall through the mesh, but they will be too big to get out of the trap.

Glass Jar Catcher

Here we have another simple method on how to catch bugs by using a glass jar. This process will allow you to trap insects without harming them and give you an option to examine them.

Take a medium-sized or large jar. Make sure that it is wide enough but not too deep. Other materials that you will need are a metal lid that fits the jar, hammer, thick nail, duct tape, cloth or soft tissue, and two straws with bending part.

Take the lid and make two holes next to each other by using a thick nail and hammer. Do it carefully to prevent any injuries. Flatten the cover on the inside where the holes are using a hammer so that the metal parts sticking out after creating holes will disappear. Once you are done with the holes, cut two straws at 2/3 along the length. Keep the bending half intact as this is important for catching bugs.

Take the straws and thread through the holes you created on the lid. Keep them secured firmly along the middle using a duct tape. This will prevent the air from getting in through the holes. You can also tape a bit of cloth or soft tissue around the straw’s end (which will be inside the container).

Once you are done, screw the lid and look for an interesting bug. Use the bug catcher’s straw near the insect and suck through the other to vacuum the insectin. After catching them, you can now unscrew the lid and let them go.

Say No to Cockroaches

Another annoying insect that you may want to catch and dispose of is a cockroach. Because these creatures are attracted to sweet and damp sources, the solution that attracts the mosquitoes will also work on cockroaches. You can prepare a bug catcher as we explained before, with a few minor but vital modifications.

Cockroaches

These pesky creatures can survive for amount without food, but only a few days without water. You will often see them under the kitchen sink or in the bathroom. These are the ideal places to leave your bug catcher at.

Roaches are excelling in climbing,and you do not want them to go out through the hole after falling into your trap. Grease the inside of the bug catcher to prevent them from escaping.

Preventing Pests From Gathering In or Around your Home

Preventing the bugs from infesting your home and surrounding areas is key to ensuring a bug-free living. That way, you will have less trouble eliminating them as well.

What Can You Do In Your Home?

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In the pantry:

  • Seal all your food. Even the smallest cracks in the packaging attract the bugs and let them in.
  • Wipe the jars and bottles. Pests are likely to be attracted to honey, vinegar, oil, syrup, and similar stains.
  • Get rid of rotting fruits and vegetables. They are a dream come true for fruit flies, ants, and other bugs.

In the kitchen:

  • Wash the dishes right after use.
  • Clean your floor regularly.
  • Deal with the spills immediately and make sure they don’t leave any residue.
  • Clear the drain.
  • Limit the areas where you eat.

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In the garbage:

  • Change your trash bags frequently.
  • Don’t allow liquids to gather in the trash can.
  • Rinse the containers after removing trash bags.
  • Put lids over the trash cans to keep the bugs out and lock the bad odor in.

 

In closets:

  • Avoid placing dirty clothes inside the cabinets.

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What Can You Do Around the Home?

  • Don’t store wood near your home.
  • Make sure you don’t allow stagnant water around the house.
  • Don’t let the vegetation come in contact with the building.
  • Place protective screens over the windows.

Wrapping it Up!

Pests are not only annoying but can also spread pathogens and cause severe illnesses. Prevention is key to ensuring a safe home, but it is essential to understand that they can never be fully avoided. If you feel like they have begun taking over your home, make sure to create a bug catcher that will help you lure and trap them.

Bug Catcher

Bug catchers are easy to make and won’t cost you a lot. They are also extremely efficient. From mosquitoes to flies to cockroaches, there are many different pests that are weak against different baits. Due to that factor, it is crucial that you know your enemy before you prepare your traps. Some bait types are deadly to specific species while others won’t be affected at all.

Now that you know various methods on how to get rid of insects, it is time you put them in action. Have you ever created a trap similar to the ones we described in this post? Let us know how that worked out for you!

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