Praxis: Keep mosquitoes at bay to enjoy summer’s last days

By Medicine Hat News on August 18, 2018.

There is nothing better to do as the summer is drawing to a close than to sit outside on a warm evening and enjoy the warm evenings and beautiful sunsets. Before you know it, school will be back in, the days will be getting shorter and — dare I say it? — there will be snow! One thing that I really dislike about sitting outside are those pesky mosquitos though. With all of this hot dry weather, where are they coming from? Well, I have a science solution to put those mosquitoes at bay and allow all of us to enjoy those last few weeks of summer! Let’s get started.

*Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

– empty clear 2L soda bottle

– yeast

– water

– measuring spoons

– measuring cups

– warm water

– glue

– scissors or a retractable knife

– mixing bowl

– spoon

– adult helper

Procedure

1. Have an adult assist you cutting the empty soda bottle in half with the scissors or retractable knife.

2. Invert the top end of the bottle into the bottom of the bottle. The neck of the bottle should be pointed down at the base of the empty soda bottle — it will kind of look like a funnel.

3. Put a few dabs of glue between the two bottles to hold them securely in place.

4. In the mixing bowl, measure one teaspoon (5 mL) of yeast. Pour it into the measuring bowl. Add 1/2 cup (125 mL) of sugar and one cup (250 mL) of warm water. Mix well.

5. Pour the mixture into the bottle.

6. Set the bottle in a desired location.

7. Observe and enjoy your time outdoors!

What is going on?

The key to this experiment is the sugar and the yeast you mixed together. The yeast (did you know is a type of fungus?) contains an enzyme called a catalyse which causes the breakdown of glucose (sugar). As the yeast feeds on the sugar, it produces a gas called carbon dioxide which is released slowly into the bottle trap you made. This carbon dioxide is very important to mosquitoes and I will explain. Mosquitoes are attracted to a number of things. They have long antennae and olfactory organs called palps that draw them to their “prey.” These instruments are also able to detect the odor of carbon dioxide. Humans produce carbon dioxide every time we exhale. As a result, there are often high concentrations of carbon dioxide surrounding us which is like bait to attract mosquitoes! Since your mosquito trap also produces carbon dioxide, it should also attract many of those pesky insects.

Do not forget about the Praxis AGM Aug. 22 at Paradise Valley Golf Course. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. I hope to see you there!

Patty Rooks is senior scientific consultant at PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The Community.” Contact Praxis at praxis@praxismh.ca, http://www.praxismh.ca, Tweet or follow us @PraxisMedHat, or friend us on Facebook.

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