Monsoon Mosquito Control - DIY Ovitraps to Reduce Mosquito Populations

As the monsoon season arrives, so do the unwelcome mosquitoes that thrive in wet conditions. To combat this seasonal nuisance, we've created a simple yet effective outdoor project: DIY ovitraps. These traps are designed to interrupt the mosquito life cycle by targeting their breeding sites, helping to significantly reduce mosquito populations. Using everyday items like candy jars and window mesh, these traps are easy to assemble and can be deployed on a large scale to protect your home and surroundings. This project not only offers a practical solution for mosquito control but also contributes to a healthier, more comfortable outdoor environment during the rainy season.

1. Candy jars
2. Mosquito mesh
3. GI wires
4. Sunboard

1. The candy jar has been marked from its neck and cut into 2 pieces.
2. Each piece will be needed, so none of them were discarded.

1. Use the jar's cap as base.
2. Mark and cut a circle of net.
3. Make a circular sunboard ring to act as a frame.
4. Glue the mosquito net with the circular frame, and then glue the net-frame on the jar's opening.

1. Put the jar's upper half up-side down in the lower half.
2. Super glue the attached ends.
3. Tape the fitted area to secure.

1. After taping, make 2 holes on sides. These holes will be adjacent to the net/mesh's brim. These holes will ensure to maintain the water level. The water must be leveled with the net so that excess water from rain will pass and still mosquitos can lay eggs sitting on the net.
2. After the holes for water levels were made, 2 more holes were made to hang the trap. GI wires were fixed onto these two holes.

1. I made 4 of these traps and placed around our home.
2. After 7 days I could see 2 of the traps having mosquito larvae. This suggested that the trap is working.
3. I kept an watch for few more days and saw the larvae transforming into pupae and then into mosquitos.
4. The hatched mosquitoes couldn't come out from the trap.
5. I threw the water and kept the trap under sunlight for a day and again filled with water and deployed them.

The DIY ovitrap project demonstrates how simple materials can be used to create a powerful tool in the fight against mosquitoes. By targeting the breeding sites, these traps help cut down on mosquito populations, providing a safer and more enjoyable outdoor space during the monsoon. This project is a testament to how small, thoughtful interventions can have a significant impact on public health and comfort. As we continue to face challenges from mosquito-borne diseases, such innovative and accessible solutions are more important than ever. By making and using these ovitraps, you can play a direct role in protecting your community from mosquitoes and their associated risks.