The Best Mosquito Trap

Pest Strategies

Mosquito bites result in itchy, irritated skin, though they can also evolve into more worrying issues if you contract a mosquito-borne illness, such as Zika or West Nile virus. Fortunately, there are many ways to repel, capture, or kill mosquitoes before they reach your skin. Pest Strategies researched several products on Amazon to help you find the best mosquito trap for your needs. Keep reading to learn more about our top recommendations.

1 Best counter trap
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B6RZP4H

Katchy Insect Trap

 

What We Like: Elegant in its design, this trap takes up minimal counter or table space and looks attractive while doing it. Though it’s not specifically built to target mosquitoes, its light attractant and suctioning fan work on them. The glue board placed along the bottom of the unit is also easy to remove and dispose of after a few days’ use. 



2 Best garden trap
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZSC4CK1

Garsum Sticky Traps 

 

What We Like: It’s hard to know what pests are going to target the vegetables, flowers, and other plants in your garden. That’s why this 12-pack of sticky insect traps is a handy solution, as the shape, color, and adhesive is designed to attract houseflies, gnats, aphids, fruit flies, and more — including mosquitoes. To set up the trap, all you need to do is remove the protective cover paper and place it in the soil where it’s most likely to catch insects. The life of each trap depends on how many insects are around it, but some customers reported up to three weeks of usage. 



3 Best plug trap
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BFFLZXN

DynaTrap Insect Trap

 

What We Like: Resembling nothing more than a simple nightlight, this subtle insect trap is a departure from a large, noisy electric zapper. Embedded within the fixture is a small glue card that captures flying insects and lasts 30–60 days before it needs to be replaced. We think this trap acts as a nice supplement to other mosquito traps. 



4 Best zapper
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CM9Y9C4

Klahaite Bug Zapper

 

What We Like: Treating your outdoor living space with strong insecticides can be cumbersome and unpleasant. This medium-sized zapper offers an alternative. The soft-glowing UV light reels in mosquitoes and other types of insects, and the electrical grid sends them falling into the collection tray. 

 



5 Best mounted trap
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0731Z4KYM

DynaTrap Mosquito and Insect Trap

 

What We Like: This trap is capable of catching moths, hornets, stink bugs, flies, wasps, and other flying insects in addition to mosquitoes. We like the pole mount stand that turns this mosquito trap from an eyesore into a functional backyard decoration. The controls are also easy to use — just twist the unit to turn it on or off. 



 

Buying Guide

A trap lures in mosquitoes as well as other flying insects to kill them and dwindle their overall population. However, because mosquito traps vary in their design, we’ve identified some important factors to help guide your purchase. Here’s what to consider:

  • Type: Here are the main types of mosquito traps available on Amazon: 
  • Carbon dioxide: Carbon dioxide mosquito traps produce a similar emission to human exhalation, which attracts and kills mosquitoes. Propane-fueled traps convert the gas for a consistent output of carbon dioxide. These traps require more maintenance than other mosquito traps and present a fire hazard, but they tend to be effective. 
  • Heat/light: These mosquito traps use either heat or light as an attractant. When a mosquito flies near them, it’s either sucked in with a fan or zapped with an electrical grid. Though less powerful than carbon dioxide traps, they’re more versatile because they can be used indoors or outdoors. 
  • Adhesive: Some heat or light traps have a sticky board that captures mosquitoes once they get sucked in. However, simpler adhesive traps can be placed just about anywhere to capture any flying insects that venture too close. 
  • Range: Carbon dioxide traps have the largest range of effectiveness, so they’re best for large properties and infestations. Heat and light traps are a step down, and adhesive traps don’t have much of a range at all — insects have to come into direct contact with them.
  • Mosquito type: Because there are more than 3,500 species of mosquitoes around the world, there’s no one-size-fits-all mosquito trap. If you live in an area that’s notable for extreme mosquito populations, look into local guidance on which mosquito traps, killers, and repellents are the most effective in targeting these species. 
  • Ease of cleaning: No one wants to clean up dead insects, but it’s better than having these pests pierce through your skin. Adhesive traps are easy to dispose of, but they may involve touching some of the dead mosquitoes. Traps with a slide-out tray provide you with an easy, touch-free method of disposal.

 

Dealing With Mosquito Bites

Even if you use the best mosquito trap you can find as well as a host of other mosquito killer and repellent products, mosquito bites are practically inevitable if you’re spending time outdoors in the warmer months. Therefore, it’s worth knowing how to handle them. 

After the surface of your skin is pierced, a part of the female mosquito’s mouth sucks blood. The saliva of the mosquito is simultaneously injected into your skin, which results in a bump. Some people have a mild reaction to a bite, while others can suffer from red, swelled skin and prolonged soreness. 

Regardless of your reaction, take the following steps to treat it:

  • Wash the bite area with warm water and mild soap to remove residual blood and saliva. 
  • Apply an ice pack for about 10 minutes to reduce any swelling and itching. Reapply the ice pack as needed. 
  • Mix a solution of baking soda and water to create a paste that helps reduce the itch response. After applying the paste to the bite area, wait 10 minutes before washing it off. 
  • Lastly, use an over-the-counter anti-itch cream to help relieve the itching. 

These efforts are designed to reduce itching, which can cause the bite area to become infected with repeated touching.

 

 

FAQs

  • Will a mosquito trap attract more mosquitoes? 

In most cases, yes. This is by design, as traps are intended to attract and kill mosquitoes. We recommend placing any mosquito traps away from high-traffic areas to reduce the chances of suffering from a bite.

  • What’s the difference between a trap and a zapper? 

Both of these pest control products lure and kill mosquitoes as well as other flying insects. While insects die from electrocution nearly instantly when they fly too close to a bug zapper, other traps kill them from dehydration or suffocation, which is a more torturous death. Zappers are also noisy, messy, and dangerous. 

  • Do I need extra fuel, insecticide, or attractant for my mosquito trap? 

Insect traps that produce carbon dioxide to suffocate bugs require canisters of gas to work. Some fuel is usually provided with your purchase, but you’ll need to buy more if you plan on using the trap for years to come. Additionally, if you don’t mind the use of insecticides, combining them with electric or adhesive traps may increase the effectiveness of your pest control efforts. 

  • Can I make my own mosquito trap? 

Yes. However, the effectiveness of your trap will pale in comparison to a store-bought one. A common DIY mosquito trap consists of a solution of yeast and sugar, which produces carbon dioxide. By mixing this solution in a container of water, the mosquitoes will drown. 

  • How do I know if a mosquito trap is necessary? 

Many places around the United States and world are prone to mosquito infestations. Though freezing temperatures will keep them at bay, warm, humid weather as well as standing water will attract mosquitoes by the thousands. If you live in a warm climate or near a body of water, invest in at least one mosquito trap to make spending time outdoors vastly more enjoyable.

 

 

Pest Strategies provides reviews of select products that are top-selling on Amazon and/or popular in consumer searches. Our team evaluates the products based on industry research, consumer reviews, pricing data, and other objective criteria. Unless otherwise noted, these product reviews are intended to help inform buying decisions for non-professionals. Because pest control products can be dangerous to your family if mishandled, we always recommend consulting with an exterminator, even if just to ask for advice on how to apply pest control products yourself.

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