Did you know that mosquitoes attack some people more than others? This is because they are drawn by certain blood types, our body temperature, heat, odors, and carbon dioxide from our human breath too. These same attractants are what scientists use to make the best mosquito trap to attract and effectively kill mosquito species of mosquitoes.
Unfortunately, everybody is familiar with mosquito killers the annoying high-pitched buzzing mosquito sound in your ear when you are trying to sleep and the consequent itchy red welts the following day. The fact that those bloodsuckers also spread deadly diseases like the West Nile, Zika, and Malaria justifies why everyone wants them dead. If that is your plan, mosquito traps are the most effective way to catch basket kill mosquitoes in doves, either outdoors or indoors.
The best mosquito trap that we reviewed is the Dynatrap Insect Half-Acre Mosquito Trap. It gives optimal efficiency and user convenience for the mosquito populations in both indoor and outdoor spaces. Our second best choice is Flowtron Electronic Insect Killer, which only came second because it is a bit bulky. The third mosquito trap we selected is the Gardner Flyweb Classic Fly Light which has unparalleled technology at a very affordable price making it our budget pick.
In this article, we have a detailed and unbiased review of the top 5 mosquito traps in the market right now and a brief buyer’s guide to help you choose the best trap for you.
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1. Dynatrap Insect Half Acre Mosquito Trap- Best Overall
- What We Catch – Attracts and traps mosquitoes, beetles, biting...
- 3-Way Protection – The UV light and TiO2 coating lure flying...
- Powerful Protection – The trap effectively protects up to 1/2...
- All-Weather Construction – A durable design for indoor or...
- Discreet Design - The sleek tungsten finish and decorative basket...
The DynaTrap DT1050-TUN Trap is not one of those futuristic high-end mosquito traps that cost an arm and a leg. It is a simple device that gives optimal efficiency and user convenience. I tried the DynaTrap DT1050-TUN Trap indoors and outdoors, and it worked excellently, true to its word. It is powerful and portable and you can trust it to trap bugs and mosquitoes.
This minimalist device offers 3-way protection in that it uses UV light and carbon dioxide to attract the bloodsuckers to a whisper-quiet fan. Then the fan vacuums them into a chamber where they meet their maker. This unit does all this quietly without any zapping or buzzing sounds, so it won't disrupt anything.
Image Credits: Berings.com
Unlike many models I reviewed in its price range, the DynaTrap DT1050-TUN Insect Trap is completely non-toxic, so you can use it around your family without worrying about any health hazards. The unit features an easy twist on and off design to ensure the mosquitoes can’t escape even after you turn off the trap. What's most impressive, though, is the extensive coverage of half an acre, which means it can sort out the entire house at once.
Dynatrap recommends using this trap for breeding cycle at least three weeks straight and six weeks to break the breeding cycle.
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2. Flowtron Electronic Insect Killer- Best For Outdoors
- Advanced electronic insect control; non clogging killing grid;...
- Recommended not to be used within 25-feet of area intended for...
- Instantaneous operation, continuous and uninterrupted service,...
- For best results replace the cartridge every 30 days, Please...
- Recommended for areas up to 1/2 acre - Outdoor Use Only
Whether you want to reduce the mosquito population from the outside in or have a backyard gathering at night, this Flowtron Electronic Insect Killer will sort you out. Upon reading the package, I noticed the trap has a coverage of at least half an acre which means it will take care of the entire home surrounding, and true to its word, it does the work. The thousands of glowing reviews from happy customers on the other hand say all you need to know about this trap, and it's very budget-friendly.
Image Credits: Walmart.com
The Flowtron Electronic Insect Killer is an environmental-friendly unit that doesn't use pesticides, a propane tank, or glue. Instead, it makes use of a 15-watt ultraviolet light and an optional octanol attractant cartilage that can be replaced every month. I loved the fact that this trap is for outdoor use, therefore, it blends perfectly with its environment and is completely waterproof.
I also noticed the manufucturer's instructions that the trap should not be used within 25 square feet of areas intended for human activity and shouldn't be attached to the house or deck. It's a good thing then that it comes with a 9-inch long cord so you can move it a bit farther away from the house.
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3. Gardner Flyweb Classic Fly Light- Best Indoor Trap
- Easy to use – The Gardner FlyWeb Classic attracts and gets rid...
- Starts working Immediately – Simply remove the adhesive cover...
- Compact and Silent- The compact design allows you to discreetly...
- Use Anywhere Indoors – Unlike bug zappers and chemical sprays,...
- 24-hour trapping – Sit back and let FlyWeb do the work for you....
When the weather warms up, doors and windows are left open to let in some fresh air. This is when mosquitoes find their way into your house and set camp before terrorizing you the whole night. With this Gardner Flyweb Classic Fly Light, you don't have to worry about that, though, because you can plug it into your living room or bedroom and have all those pesky mosquitoes killed.
Image Credits: Gardnerflylights.com
This trap is a compact device with an inconspicuous design, which means you can hide it in any room. Once I plugged the unit on an electrical outlet it immediately started attracting mosquitoes with UV light, and leads them to a non-toxic glue board adhesive, where they meet their demise. The whole glue trap board easily slides out of the unit for disposal of dead mosquitoes and monthly replacement.
With many mosquitoes traps I have tested, I couldn't help but realize just how effortless it was to use the Gardner Flyweb Classic Fly Light. I only removed the protective layer from the mosquito magnet and the sticky glue paper on board. I then slid it into the device, and plug it in. II must say, this mosquito magnet and trap is a fairly affordable unit considering it continues to work consistently throughout the year and requires minimal maintenance.
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4. KATCHY Indoor Insect Trap- Most Beautiful Trap
- Triple trapping power: first the UV light attracts the bug, then...
- Use the trap indoors, close to insect-ridden fruit, plants or...
- No more ugly traps! Subtle and stylish; easily place in your...
- Not effective on house flies. Is effective in killing fruit...
- Easy to use, choose between standard or low speed setting and...
KATCHY is a brand that knows exactly how to merge style and performance, and this Indoor Insect and Flying Bugs trap is a representation of that. The first thing I noticed about this trap is how eye-catching it is with its all-black color scheme and bluish-purple glowing light. I not only used the trap on mosquitoes and other household and other flying insects, insect, insects, and proved to work effectively. It's also a perfect house décor.
Image Credits: Katchybug.com
Looks aside, the KATCHY Indoor Insect and Flying Bugs Trap feature the iconic KATCH RELIEF technology that provides three times greater protection from biting mosquitoes all night long. The blueish-purple UV light attracts the bloodsuckers and other bugs while the fan sucks them in and traps them in the glue board. This trap does a fantastic job of controlling mosquitoes indoors without any buzzing or zapping noise.
When using the trap types of it, keep the lights off for the best results and let the sticky paper trap run for three consecutive nights. The trapped mosquitoes remains stuck on the sticky paper and glue board even after I turn off the trap in the morning, therefore, you don't have to worry about escapees.
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5. TBI Pro Bug Outdoor Insect Attractant Zapper- Best For Camping
The TBI Pro Bug Outdoor Insect Attractant Zapper from the famous home appliance brand is nothing short of exceptional. This trap is a compact unit with 2100 square feet of coverage, making it the perfect choice for a camping trip. Thanks to the carrying handle, I hang the unit outside the tent and let it do what it does best, attacking bugs and mosquitoes throughout the night.
Image Credits: Walmart.com
The unit boasts a powerful Watts high-intensity UV lamp that effectively attracts mosquitoes and various outdoor, biting insects and other flying insects in, and then zaps them with the 4200v electric grid located inside the unit. At first, I was worried that this amount of power is too much, before I realized that the trap is designed with all the necessary safety features starting with a fireproof construction to keep all those electrical out of reach. Therefore, despite its overwhelming power, it is safe to use it.
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What To Consider When Buying The Best Mosquito Traps
Different types of mosquito traps are effective in different places, and they all use different mechanisms. When buying a mosquito trap, you must consider these factors;
Image Credits: Jumia.co.ke
1. Usage
There are two types of mosquito traps-indoor and outdoor traps. For indoor use, go for mosquito traps that use UV light and heat to attract mosquitoes and then kill them using sticky glue boards, or vacuum chambers. For outdoor use, carbon dioxide(co2)as the attractant is the best choice because it’s more potent, and the killing mechanism can be zapping because of the large population.
2. Coverage
Again, you must consider where the trap will be used. For indoor use, a mosquito trap covering half an acre or at least 600 square feet is more than sufficient. For outdoor use, you can choose one that can cover half an acre or more as long as it has a powerful enough killing mechanism.
3. Maintenance
Most indoor mosquito traps use a glue board that needs to be changed or cleaned often, while outdoor mosquito traps need more advanced maintenance.
Image Credits: Imaginecare.co.ke
Choose a bug zapper that’s easy to maintain, and if some things need to be replaced, make sure they are readily available and affordable.
Conclusion on The Best Mosquito Traps
Using mosquito traps to control the mosquito population around and inside your home is a genius idea. However, it is not a full-proof mosquito control method and cannot get rid of all the mosquitoes. For best results, you should consider removing any mosquito breeding grounds like standing water and vegetation.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Mosquito Traps
1. Do mosquito traps really work?
The effectiveness of an insect trap depends on how big the population is, the breeding habitat, the species-specific habitat, and the killing mechanism. Even the most potent traps will be useless to kill insects if the infestation is too big and if you live near a mosquito species’ breeding ground.
Image Credits: Myhanabishi.com
That said, indoor traps are the most effective because their job is to control the population biting flies inside that room or the house only. You have to be strategic with placing the device though, and also leave insects inside the room so you won’t be the main attractant flying pests.
2. How do I permanently get rid of mosquitoes in my house?
Use mosquito repellents
Mosquito repellents are a tried-and-tested method to keep mosquitoes away from your body. You can use repellent sprays, lotions, or patches to repel mosquitoes. These products contain active ingredients, such as DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus, which are effective at repelling mosquitoes.
Keep your house clean and dry.
Mosquitoes thrive in moist and dirty environments. To the mosquito problem and prevent mosquitoes from breeding in your house, keep it clean and dry.
Image Credits: Amazon.com
Ensure there is no standing water in or around your home, as this can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Keep your house well-ventilated and use a dehumidifier to reduce humidity levels.
Use screens on doors and windows.
Another effective way to keep mosquitoes out of your house is by screens on doors and windows. Make sure the screens fit correctly and have no holes or gaps. This will prevent mosquitoes from entering your house while allowing fresh air to circulate.
3. What is the best way to catch indoor mosquitoes?
Mosquito Traps Mosquito traps are highly effective tools for catching indoor mosquitoes. They work by attracting mosquitoes to a trap, where they get stuck and can’t escape. There are several types of mosquito traps to choose from, including: –
a) Light Traps: Mosquitoes are attracted to light, so light traps use UV light to attract mosquitoes fly to them. Once the mosquitoes are attracted to the ultraviolet light, they get stuck on a sticky surface or zapped by an electric grid. –
b) CO2 Traps: Mosquitoes and other insects are also attracted to sticky traps and to carbon dioxide, which we exhale. CO2 traps emit carbon dioxide to lure mosquitoes and other insects to the trap, where they get captured. –
c) Heat Traps: Another tool that mosquitoes use to locate humans is heating. Heat traps work by emitting heat to lure mosquitoes to the trap. Once female mosquitoes are in the trap, mosquito bites and they get captured.
4. What smell keeps away mosquitoes?
Many surprising smells from plants to essential oils keep mosquitoes away, e.g., citronella oil, lemon eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, lavender oil, tea tree oil, neem oil, garlic, cinnamon, and marigold, among others.
5. How do I keep mosquitoes permanently out of my bedroom?
Seal up all openings: Mosquitoes can enter your home through even the smallest of gaps, so make sure all doors, windows, and vents are adequately sealed. –
Use screens: Installing screens on doors and windows can help keep mosquitoes out while still allowing fresh air into your home. –
Remove standing water: Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, so remove any standing water in and around your home. – Use mosquito nets: for mosquito larvae. Sleeping under a mosquito net can significantly keep mosquito larvae and reduce your risk of getting bitten by indoor mosquitoes. –
Use insect repellents: Applying insect repellent to your skin and clothing can help keep mosquitoes at bay.
6. What is the most effective mosquito trap?
DynaTrap DT1050-TUN Trap is my most preferred mosquito trap. Unlike most traps that purport to trap bugs and mosquitoes but they don’t, this trap can trap a wide variety of bugs ranging from biting flies, moths, stink bugs, yellow jackets, wasps, no-see-ums, gnats, biting midges just to name a few. You understand how these bugs can be annoying when you are trying to enjoy an evening and night outside.
On the same breathe, it is meant to work excellently under all weather. It can run continuously in all seasons protect ting you from insects. Also, it is easy to use. You only ensure you have placed the trap 3 to 6 feet above the ground and up to 40 feet away from people. Plug it in and let it do what it does best. Empty the basket when you have to.
If you are looking for the surest second line of defense from mosquitoes, you need to shop for this unit. When you start using it, you will notice a significant decline in mosquitoes within the first few days. You only need to have it on 24/7. Also it pays to read the directions of use carefully and seriously before using it. For best performance, use a lure to maximize its effectiveness, start early in the new season, and place it at a distance from where you and your loved ones are gathering. If need be, you can as well use other mosquito control techniques to maximize its effectiveness.
7. What is the best homemade mosquito trap?
Sometimes, you may not have enough money to buy one of these mosquito traps or don’t trust their working mechanism. In that case, making a homemade mosquito trap can help. One of the best mosquito traps is made using vinegar, where you cut a 2-liter bottle in half, pour some baking soda on the bottom half, and then put the bottle back together using tape. Pour a cup of vinegar through the top bottle. When the vinegar and the baking soda touch, carbon dioxide is produced, which will attract mosquitoes into the bottle trap, where they are killed. While most homemade mosquito traps work to some extent, they are not quite as effective as store-bought traps.
8. Do mosquito traps attract more mosquitoes?
Absolutely. Most measures taken against mosquitoes work by repelling them either from your body or from your house. The best mosquito traps, however, work by attracting the mosquitoes near them so they can be trapped inside and killed. This means there will be more of stopping mosquitoes from coming into your house when you switch on the UV light trap. Some of those most mosquito traps can attract mosquitoes that are as far as 500 meters away, which is not bad because they will be killed.
9. What to avoid in a mosquito trap
People often choose a mosquito trap based on how effective it’s supposed to be regarding attracting and killing mosquitoes. However, some things that make a trap so effective can also harm human and animal health. For example, most carbon dioxide traps use titanium dioxide, which is a known carcinogen. Octenol is also moderately toxic to both humans and animals when inhaled, even though it’s FDA-approved. While choosing a mosquito trap, be sure to avoid these two components, especially for indoor use.
