Beat The Buzz: South Dakotan Develops Clever Mosquito Trap

Brace yourselves, Sioux Empire, because mosquito season is right around the corner. Pretty soon, those buzzing, blood-sucking little vampires will be out in full force, turning backyards into all-you-can-eat buffets. If the mere thought of this already has you scratching, take heart, there's one South Dakotan who is just itching to lead the charge against this airborne menace.

Lisa Rathbun, a nature advocate from the Volga-Brookings area, has invented something she is calling the “Mosquito Bucket of Doom.” Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it sounds, unless you’re a mosquito. According to Dakota News Now, this DIY trap is designed to stop the pests before they even earn their wings.

Here’s how this bucket of brilliance works.

Fill a bucket with standing water, toss in some decomposing leaves or grass clippings, and add a mosquito dunk, a small tablet loaded with BTI. This naturally occurring bacterium kills mosquito larvae without harming pets, people, or pollinators. The gunky water gives off CO₂, which entices female mosquitoes to “Lay their eggs here!” Unfortunately for them, it’s a one-way trip to Doomsville if they do.

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Just a little heads-up from Lisa: don’t place your bucket near where you plan to hang out. The CO₂ that attracts mosquitoes will also draw them near you. So, your patio isn’t an ideal spot unless you’re feeling generous with your blood supply. It's probably best to set this trap in a shaded corner of your yard, away from picnic tables, decks, and where your kids play.

The best part? This affordable contraption costs next to nothing and can be made with stuff you already have lying around. But here’s the catch: one bucket alone won’t save the Sioux Empire. However, if your whole neighborhood joins in, you're on your way to launching a full-scale mosquito apocalypse.

READ MORE: Sioux Falls City Pools Set To Open This Month 

So this summer, instead of just swatting and scratching, you might consider giving some thought to deploying a Mosquito Bucket of Doom or two. It’s cheap, eco-friendly, and might just earn you hero status at your next neighborhood backyard barbecue.

Check out more information on how to combat mosquitoes this summer, and get additional info on how to build your own Mosquito Bucket of Doom here.