How to Make Glue Boards With Corn Syrup

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Things You'll Need

  • Yellow poster board

  • Scissors

  • Paperclips

  • Measuring cup

  • Water

  • Corn syrup

  • Heavy-duty pan

  • Stove

  • Wooden spoon

  • Plastic knife

  • String

Remove insects from your home without dangerous chemicals.

Unwanted insects are a fact of life in just about any climate, whether they're hovering around your houseplants or congregating on your kitchen counters. Commercial insect repellent can get rid of the bugs, but these chemicals can be dangerous in food areas and around pets and small children. Glue boards are physical traps that lure insects in and keep them in place until they die, and they have no dangerous chemicals to poison your environment. Make your own set of glue board traps with corn syrup to control gnats, ants and other unwanted insects in and around your house.

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Step 1

Cut pieces of yellow poster board into 5-by-7-inch rectangles. Use a bent paperclip to poke a hole near the center of one short edge of each rectangle if you are going to hang the glue boards instead of lay them on the floor.

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Step 2

Pour a cup of water and a cup of corn syrup into a heavy-duty pan. Place the pan on a stove. Stir the water and corn syrup mixture until it is thoroughly combined. Turn the heat on and simmer the mixture until it resembles a very thick glue.

Step 3

Remove the pot from the stove and allow the mixture to cool until it is safe to use.

Step 4

Use a plastic knife to spread the thickened gluey mixture onto the surface of the poster board rectangles. Spread the glue on both sides of the boards if you plan to hang them. Push the end of a bent paperclip through the hole you made in one end and tie a string to the loop in the paperclip. Tie the other end of the string to a curtain rod or other convenient spot. Paint the glue on only one side of the boards if you are laying them on the floor. Place the boards where insects walk or congregate.

Tip

Use bright yellow poster board because insects are drawn to the color.

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