When the weather starts to get warmer, we start to think of all the wonderful things summer brings. Beach days, picnics and family time are things to look forward to, but the onslaught of mosquitoes that the first warm weather and rains of the year bring certainly are not. Nothing ruins a backyard barbecue as fast as a swarm of biting mosquitoes. Rather than relying on bug sprays, which can damage both the environment and your health, we suggest investing in the best mosquito traps to prevent the itchy reminders these blood-sucking insects leave behind.
Mosquito traps are devices that work to attract insects, usually including mosquitos, flies, gnats and fleas, with UV light or CO2, which mimics human breath. Once the bugs are lured in, the traps kill using either:
- Glue
- Dehydration
- Drowning
- Electrocution
Mosquito traps can usually be used both indoors and outdoors and will cover a certain amount of area as defined by the manufacturer. Make sure to buy a device that covers a large enough area for your space.
Below, we’ve rounded up the 11 best mosquito traps. Find the right one for you and your space to start enjoying a bug-free summer.
1. Severino Electric Bug Zapper
BEST OVERALL
The Severino Electric Bug Zapper is a popular bug zapper that comes backed by over 8,500 five-star ratings from Amazon users who are happy with the job it does. It’s ideal for mosquitoes, flies, bees, moths and a range of other flying bugs, too, and boasts several handy features, including a convenient hanging loop, an out-of-sight, bug collection tray and an ABS plastic housing to protect you from the powerful, 4200-volt bug zapper. Additionally, this effective device, which uses a hyacinthine light to attract surrounding bugs, can function either indoors or outdoors, depending on where your bug problem is.
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2. Kensizer Yellow Sticky Gnat Traps
BEST BUDGET
At under $10 and with over 5,000 five-star ratings, the Kensizer Yellow Sticky Gnat Traps are a budget-friendly yet effective answer to keeping bugs at bay. Each sheet included in the pack, which can be 10, 20 or 30 pieces, measures six by eight inches and has bug-catching stickiness on both sides. The waterproof sheets are ideal for protecting people or precious plants from a range of flying insects, including aphids, fruit flies and mosquitoes. Handily, these paper-like traps can be cut into any shape you need for more convenient or well-hidden use.
3. Black Flag Bug Zapper Insect Killer
BEST BUDGET ZAPPER
If you’d prefer an electric device over sticky traps but still want to stick to a budget, the Black Flag Bug Zapper Insect Killer could be your answer. It’s less than $25 and features a 2,000-volt zapper for getting rid of mosquitos, flies, wasps, moths and other UV-light-attracted bugs. The device boasts the ability to cover a half-acre, making it an ideal option for patios and backyards. In addition, this device comes with a one-year warranty, while a plastic guard prevents accidents caused by touching the internal zapper.
4. Neatmaster Ultrasonic Pest Repeller Plug-In
BEST PLUG-IN
The Neatmaster Ultrasonic Pest Repeller Electronic Plug-In negates the need to kill your problematic bugs and instead works to keep them away in the first place. Using low-frequency, ultrasonic waves, the device discourages all kinds of insects from coming close, creating a bug-free area up to 120 meters square. You’ll also be able to choose from three different modes, depending on the level of your bug problem, with the most intense being slightly audible to the human ear. In addition, it’s worth noting that the ultrasonic deterrent cannot pass through walls, so it’s best to invest in one plug-in unit for every room in your home.
5. Zap It! Rechargeable Bug Zapper Racket
BEST RACKET
If you can’t stand sitting around while mosquitoes are in the vicinity and you’d rather be on the offensive, the Zap It! Rechargeable Bug Zapper Racket may be right up your alley. This well-reviewed twin pack includes two devices which each boast a 4,000-volt grid for instantly dealing with any nearby problematic pests. The racket’s smart design also includes triple-layered, touchable mesh to prevent accidental taps as well as a built-in LED light that helps illuminate pests when the lights are out. Furthermore, the racket is available in three different sizes, allowing you to match the size of your device to the problem at hand.
6. Katchy Indoor Fly Trap
BEST ELECTRIC STICKY TRAP
The Katchy Indoor Fly Trap isn’t called Katchy for nothing. This advanced device uses a combination of methods to entice and remove bugs from the surrounding area. It’s most effective when left for three consecutive days, and inside the device, you’ll find a one-direction airflow, attracting UV-light and internal sticky glue boards to prevent any bug’s escape once inside. This is an ideal choice for fruit flies, mosquitoes and gnats, and it functions to protect you or your food from unwelcome invaders. This is also a far more stylish answer than the average sticky trap.
7. Gloue Bug Zapper
BEST INDOOR
The Gloue Bug Zapper is another device that uses multiple elements to deliver maximum bug trapping. In addition to the UV light, you’ll find a one-way fan and a sticky glue board for capturing any bugs that enter the trap. The zapper is available in either a large or small size, depending on your needs, with the large being capable of covering rooms up to 80 meters square. Additionally, this well-reviewed device includes a handy, built-in loop for easy hanging and runs at a user-friendly 35 dB, allowing for comfortable rest or sleep with minimal disturbance.
8. Bell + Howel High-Performance Monster Bug Zapper
HEAVY DUTY PICK
The Bell + Howel High-Performance Monster Bug Zapper was made for anyone who is serious about dealing with their pest problem. It houses double, UV lights which attract all kinds of bugs, including mosquitoes and flies, towards the 2,800-volt zapper. The device also comes with a removable metal chain for hanging. In addition, this is a pet-friendly choice, as there’s a protective cover and it produces no heat emission or burning odor. For easy maintenance, there’s a detachable tray for dumping any bugs which have collected over time.
9. Gardner FlyWeb Classic Fly Light
BEST DESKTOP
If you’re looking for a desk or countertop-friendly mosquito trap, the Gardner FlyWeb Classic Fly Light might be the right fit for you. The plug-in design makes the device simple to fit, so that the energy-efficient, nine-watt, UV bulb can get to work drawing annoying pests into the web-like, adhesive glue card inside. The compact device also sports an attractive design that doesn’t draw attention or look out of place in a modern home. All in all, this is a quick and easy way to provide 24-hour, non-chemical trapping.
10. Flowtron Electronic Insect Killer
BEST OUTDOOR
The Flowtron BK-15D Electronic Insect Killer is made for outdoor use and covers areas up to half an acre in size. The design of this socket-powered device includes a 15-watt bulb that attracts mosquitoes so that they meet the patented, high efficiency, non-clogging killing grid. The Killer also includes a built-in hook for easy hanging, which is best done at least 25 feet from human activity and buildings to maximize effectiveness.
11. DynaTrap Trap Pole Mount
BEST FREE STANDING
The DynaTrap DT1260-TUN Trap Pole Mount is a free-standing mosquito trap that offers odor-free, whisper-quiet mosquito removal. It’s available in either red or dark green, and instead of zapping or buzzing, it uses a carbon dioxide trail to attract insects in the vicinity before trapping them with an internal fan. After this, the bugs dehydrate, and then die and collect inside the base. This base is best emptied every one to two weeks. Additionally, for the most effective performance, it’s worth leaving the mount out over several weeks to break the breeding cycle of mosquitoes.
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