A team of innovators from Canada and Mexico has designed an effective mosquito trap that was made using cheap, accessible and environment-friendly materials. According to their press release, the new mosquito trap, dubbed as "ovillanta," is made out of two 50-centimeter sections of old car tires that were put together, creating a mouth-like shape. The said contraption has a fluid release valve at the bottom. Mosquitoes are lured into the trap with a milk-based, non-toxic solution located inside the lower cavity of the tire. A wooden or paper strip is placed in the artificial pond inside the "ovillanta" to serve as the catcher of mosquito eggs. The strips are removed from the trap twice a week to analyze the collected mosquito eggs. The analyzed eggs are destroyed using fire or ethanol. The strip will then be drained, filtered and recycled back into the trap. As more mosquitoes lay their eggs in the trap, more mosquito pheromones are concentrated. Mosquito pheromone is the chemical perfume of female insects that helps other mosquitoes identify a safe breeding spot.

To test the effectiveness of the "ovillanta," researchers conducted a 10-month study in the remote, urban area of Guatemala.Rubber Pad For Ac Unit The study, published in the journal F1000 Science, showed that the rubber "ovillanta" is significantly more effective at luring mosquito than the standard traps made from one-liter buckets.Luxury Outdoor Furniture Dallas In the course of 10 months, researchers collected and destroyed a monthly average of 18,100 mosquito eggs using 84 "ovillantas" in seven neighborhoods in Sayaxche. Pageant Mom T ShirtThis is seven times higher compared to the 2,700 eggs monthly average of the standard traps put in the same place. Researchers also noted the disappearance of new dengue cases in the area where the "ovillanta" study were conducted.

The team gave three reasons why they used tires to develop the trap. 1. Old tires are known to be a breeding site for the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, about 29 percent chose to breed in tires. 2. They are easily accessible and cheap. 3. Recycling old tires help clean the environment. Aedes aegypti mosquito is the known carrier of the Zika Virus. It is also responsible for the spread of dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever, according to Science Alert.With the Canadian dollar flirting with parity with the U.S. dollar yet again, Canadians can't help but consider shopping stateside to score some great discounts. (Use coupons strategically to score big savings on everyday purchases. Check out Coupon Shopping: Clip Your Way To Savings.)IN PICTURES: 5 Money-Saving Shopping TipsKeep in mind that there are limits you have to adhere to when crossing back over into Canada. Always declare what you've purchased, and the rule of thumb is: the longer you stay in the U.S., the more you are allowed to bring back without having any duties or taxes levied.

Time Spent in the U.S. Amount You Can Bring Back 48 hours or more More than 24 hours, less than 48 Less than 24 hours If anything you buy is made in Canada, the U.S. or Mexico, NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) exempts you from paying duties, but you'll have to pay taxes when you cross back over if you go over your allowed limits or are only in the U.S. for less than 24 hours.Finally, let's not forget to also factor those deep sales that happen in the States, especially on Black Friday and those low sales taxes charged in some American states, with the average sales tax hovering around 5.5%.With the above in mind, there are certain categories of goods and services that are usually cheaper in the U.S. than in Canada, even without equal currency values, sales tax savings or major sales: The printed word tends to be cheaper in the U.S. by around 25%, partly because suggested retail prices are usually printed on the book itself, and retailers are not likely to want to reprice their books based on currency fluctuations.

If you don't want to head over to the States every time you want to buy a book, buying your books online will probably score you a better deal than going to your local bookstore.CigarettesA vice to be sure, but many Canadians might find more of a financial incentive to quit or cut back on this habit than their American counterparts. Because cigarettes are almost double the price in Canada than in the States. A 25-pack of cigarettes costs around $12 in Canada, but a 20-pack of cigarettes in the United States is only around $5. To be fair, cigarettes are taxed heavily in Canada, with the cost of cigarettes boasting taxes of 63 to 79% compared to New Yorkers, for example, who only pay 38%. That means around $7.50 to $9.50 of that $12 cost of a 25-pack of cigarettes in Canada is going just to taxes. If you live in Ontario, don't forget that added tax of $5 per carton that was enacted to deter smoking.TiresThe duty to ship tires across the border is only around 4 to 7%, but tires in Canada cost over 40% more than the price of their American counterparts.

Even tires made in Canada can be found for less in the U.S., even if you can see the factory right outside of your door. Buy your locally made tires online and have them shipped from the States right back across the border. (Shopping from the comfort of your couch has major benefits - and some unpleasant side effects. Read Shopping Online: Convenience, Bargains And A Few Scams.)FoodThere are rules and regulations of what you can and cannot bring over the border, and you will have to declare any foodstuff purchased in the U.S. With that in mind, even grocery shopping in the States can be cheaper than in Canadian supermarkets. Meat is a one-third less expensive Dairy is around 50% less expensive Fresh fruits and vegetables can be up to 20% less expensive Junk and convenience foods are one-third less expensive IN PICTURES: 5 Ways To Control Emotional Spending GasUnsurprisingly, gas is also cheaper in the United States by about 25 to 40%. Don't be fooled by that gallon-to-liter conversion, just multiply what Canadians pay per liter by 3.78, to get the American equivalent.

So if gas is $1.10 per liter in Canada, it should be $4.16 per gallon in the United States. But are Americans paying those prices? No.Average gas prices hover around the $2.53 to $3.11 per gallon range, which translates into 67 to 82 cents per liter, prices that haven't been seen across the Great White North for quite some time. (Gas prices are influenced by more than supply and demand. Find out what determines the price you pay at the pump. See What Determines Gas Prices?)The Bottom LineThis is just a comparison between Canada and the United States. For many people visiting Canada, the prices in their home country tends to be a lot more expensive, and they consider Canada to be a haven of great deals. As a Canadian, you can save a lot by spending stateside, but don't forget to factor in the extra costs of lodging, travel, food and taxes/duties.Find out what happened in financial news this week. Read Water Cooler Finance: GM's Dramatic Return. Want to learn how to invest? Get a free 10 week email series that will teach you how to start investing.