Ask HN: Why hasn't a readily available universal mosquito trap been developed?

2 points by supercucumber 3y ago ↗ HN

Basically the title. Yeah, I know there's mosquito repellent spray, but I'm not keen on spraying noxious chemicals all over my clothes/skin, especially not in my own home.

It seems like every few years new technology gets developed to fight/trap mosquitoes, but yet when I browse Amazon and/or my local hardware store for solutions, there are none to be found (aside from the usual snake oil). Why is this?

3 comments

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pr07ecH70r 3y ago ↗

Hm, maybe I am an old school here... but I just have nets on all windows and doors at home, which I can attest, work pretty well!

not_your_vase 3y ago ↗

At least in the EU most stores carry cheap electric mosquito repellents, things like this: https://www.fairprice.com.sg/product/baygon-liquid-electric-...

I have been using them for at least 3 decades, across multiple countries, and they seem to work well.

hacknewslogin 3y ago ↗

I've had a lot of success with the natural oil repellants, and I usually get eaten alive. I think the most effective traps I've seen release co2 made by yeast, then trap and dry out the mosquitoes with a fan. They are sold, but at least around my area they're roughly $90 USD. Fanless ones are really easy to make out of a gallon jug, some sugar water, and yeast. Just pour it in the jug, and invert the top-half of it. Hang it upside-down and they can get in, but not out.