Mosquito-prone? Try this!

• Posted on 6 April 2025
• 0

DIY Mosquito Trap with Hexanoic Acid, Lactic Acid, Ammonium Bicarbonate, and Ethanol – How It Works!

With summer just around the corner, mosquitoes are once again becoming a daily annoyance for many people. Fortunately, in addition to traditional mosquito candles and sprays, there are also scientifically proven methods to attract and trap mosquitoes. One of these is a mixture of substances that attract mosquitoes based on scent. In this blog, we'll show you how to make an effective mosquito attractant using hexanoic acid, lactic acid, ammonium bicarbonate, and ethanol – inspired by how mosquitoes naturally locate their prey.

Why This Combination?

Mosquitoes are masters of scent detection. They are strongly attracted to certain substances that humans and animals emit through their skin and breath. Researchers have found that a combination of the following four substances is especially effective in attracting mosquitoes:

• Hexanoic acid (also known as caproic acid): a fatty acid found in sweat. It has a sour, slightly rancid odor that mosquitoes are drawn to.

• Lactic acid: another sweat component that mosquitoes can detect with their antennae.

• Ammonium bicarbonate: when dissolved, it releases ammonia and CO₂, and carbon dioxide in particular is a key trigger for mosquitoes to go into hunting mode.

• Ethanol: helps the other substances evaporate more easily and can also attract mosquitoes, as it’s part of human body emissions.

By combining these substances, you're essentially mimicking the scent of a human — without having to serve as live bait!

How to Use This Mosquito Attractant

What You’ll Need:

• 1 part hexanoic acid (caproic acid)

• 1 part lactic acid

• 1 part ammonium bicarbonate

• 1 part ethanol (e.g., 70% alcohol)

• A plastic bottle or jar with an opening (think of a homemade trap)

Instructions:

1. Mix all the liquid components (hexanoic acid, lactic acid, ethanol) in a well-ventilated area.

2. Add the ammonium bicarbonate last – it will react with the acids and slowly release CO₂.

3. Pour the mixture into an open jar or a cut plastic bottle.

4. Place the container near mosquito-prone areas, such as by an open window or on a shady patio.

5. Replace the mixture every 1–2 days for best results.

Safety and Tips

• Wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated space when mixing the chemicals.

• Keep the mixture out of reach of children and pets.

• This blend is meant to attract mosquitoes, not kill them on its own. Use it in combination with a trap or in an enclosed area.

Conclusion

Mosquitoes are persistent little creatures, but with a bit of chemistry, you can turn their instincts against them. By combining hexanoic acid, lactic acid, ammonium bicarbonate, and ethanol, you replicate the human scents mosquitoes find irresistible. The result? A natural, effective way to lure and trap mosquitoes — all with a bit of scientific creativity.