We spend a lot of money every year trying to kill, prevent, and repel bugs and it can get pretty expensive. Why not try out a DIY bug trap? Homemade bug traps are cheap and can actually be made with items found around your house.

The Bottle Trap

A simple yet effective design that can catch and kill most of the bugs on your hate list. The best part about them is that there is no poison so they are completely harmless to you and your family.

You will need:

  • 1 two-liter bottle
  • Masking tape
  • Cutting tool

Start by cutting a two-liter bottle in half then place the top, nozzle down, into the bottom half. Tape them together so the top doesn’t fall all the way in. This is where the bugs will enter and then get trapped in the bottom.

homemade bug trap, wasp, bees

The bugs you attract will depend on the bait.

Wasps and Bees


If you’ve been to a backyard barbecue in the summer then you have been annoyed by bees trying to get a taste of your sweet fermented beverage.

Add soda, juice, beer, or wine to the bottom of your trap to make sure they don’t crash your party ever again.

Mosquitoes


Public enemy number one for homeowners who love to use their patios in the summer. These bugs aren’t just annoying, they also carry West Nile and whatever virus is new this year. You can dress in black, spray yourself in mosquito repellant, or douse yourself in strong perfume or you can use the handy bottle trap.

mosquito repellant

To lure mosquitoes to their death add one cup of hot water to one cup of sugar and mix in 1 teaspoon of yeast. This will create a concoction mosquito won’t be able to resist.

Gnat/Fruit Fly Trap


Trying to figure where these things are coming from is probably the most annoying part about these tiny insects. Well, worry no more. With a simple modification of the bottle trap, you can bring gnats and fruit flies out of hiding and get rid of them once and for all.

To turn your bottle trap into a fruit fly trap you will need to first change the bait. Fruit flies prefer fruit but beer and wine will also work.

Next, pull a sheet of plastic wrap over the top of the trap. Secure it to the bottle with a rubber band. Finally, poke about a dozen holes in it with a toothpick. This will be how the fruit flies and gnats get in.

If you are having insect troubles that are too much for DIY traps then your best option is to call the professionals at Cramer Pest Control. Call us at one of our two locations or leave us a message on our webpage.