Best Mosquito Traps
9 minutes to read | Updated for 2018
Mosquitos aren’t only an annoyance: They are carriers of several diseases like West Nile Virus and malaria. It makes sense to find a solution that will help keep you and your family safe.
These pests are attracted to our sweat and the carbon dioxide and other chemicals in our breath. Unfortunately, they are a necessary evil because of the food they provide for wildlife and other insects. However, that doesn’t mean they have to share your yard.
We searched through the available products on the market to come up with our Top 4 Best Mosquito Traps of 2018 to help your search. Read on to learn about the features that make these units stand out from the others.
Top Rated Mosquito Traps
What’s In This Guide
Best Overall
Hoont Mosquito Killer and Gnat Fly Trap
The Hoont Mosquito Killer and Gnat Fly Trap is a simple yet effective solution for ridding your outdoor space of mosquitos and other flying insects. It uses a fan and an ultraviolet light bulb to attract pests to trap them in the unit. You don’t have to use any chemicals or attractants. The UV light does the work.
It has an attractive design that belies its purpose. It measures 19 inches high with a five-foot power cord. You can use it indoors or outdoors. The coverage area is about 1,000 square feet.
Product Features
- The Hoont Mosquito Killer and Gnat Fly Trap is virtually maintenance free
- It is a one-time purchase without the need to buy attractant cartridges
- The unit weighs just under four pounds yet is durable
- It traps a wide range of bugs
PRO
- It doesn’t use chemicals
- It runs quietly
- It’ll trap any insect that is attracted to the light and close enough to get drawn into the unit
- It is waterproof so that you can leave it outside
- You can also use it indoors
CON
- It can tip easily
Runner-Up
Hoont Indoor Outdoor 3-Way Mosquito and Fly Trap
The Hoont Indoor Outdoor 3-Way Mosquito and Fly Trap is similar to the previous products with some notable differences. It also operates with a UV light and fan which draws insects into the unit. It also has a tray where you can add liquids such as beer or juice to attract more bugs to it.
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Maintenance is simple without the need to add additional cartridges. The unit is attractive too. It lures a wide range of insects in case you have problems with other pests such as flies or wasps. Many find it a pleasant and quieter alternative to using a bug zapper.
Product Features
- The Hoont Indoor Outdoor 3-Way Mosquito and Fly Trap has a smaller footprint and won’t take up a lot of space on your deck or patio
- You can remove the stand to fit the device to your space
- Your only maintenance is to clean the tray periodically and rinse it with water
PRO
- Ability to add your choice of attractants keeps the operating cost down while increasing its effectiveness
- It is water and weatherproof for continual outdoor use
- The fan is quiet
- You can put it in your home
- It is energy-efficient
CON
- The unit is made of plastic which gives it a cheap appearance
Best for Indoors
Hausbell Mosquito Trap
The Hausbell Mosquito Trap is the most affordable of the products we reviewed. It has some added features that make it worth a look. Like the previous ones, it uses light to attract bugs without the need to use chemicals. You can operate it manually or let the light sensor control the unit.
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The light is softer when compared to the other traps we considered, yet it still attracts pests. The design is pleasing too, making it a welcome addition to any decor. As the manufacturer stated, you must place it at least 59 inches high for optimal performance.
Product Features
- The Hausbell Mosquito Trap has an automatic light sensor to detect dusk and switch the unit on to get to work
- It uses an LED light for maximum lifespan
- It is most useful if it is the only light source in the area
PRO
- It emits a pleasant bluish light
- It runs quietly
- The unit is small at just over one pound
- The design is simple yet effective
- Other than cleaning it occasionally, there is no maintenance
CON
- It is more practical for larger insects like mosquitoes than smaller ones like gnats
Best Vacuum Trap
Flowtron MT-125 Mosquito PowerTrap
The Flowtron MT-125 Mosquito PowerTrap takes the job of ridding your space of pests to the next level. Instead of a fan, it uses a vacuum to capture insects attracted to its bright LEDs. It uses octenol as an attractant which is another chemical in your breath. That increases its effectiveness, especially with the addition of the power source.
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The unit is pricey, yet it has some added features that justify the cost. You can use either propane or electricity to run it which adds to its versatility. The former is worthwhile considering that the power cord is a bit short.
Product Features
- The Flowtron MT-125 Mosquito PowerTrap is heavier than any other product we reviewed at 15 pounds
- It runs on both electricity and propane
- It has a digital display
PRO
- It has a one-year limited warranty
- Using octenol makes it more useful
- It is energy-efficient with either fuel or power source
- It is extremely quiet
- It is compact with a small footprint of only 14 x 10 x 14 inches
CON
- It is expensive at over four times the cost of the next costliest unit
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read moreHow Do Mosquito Traps Work?
Most traps operate with lights that attract insects to the unit where they are drawn in and unable to escape. They differ from bug zappers in that they run silently without the obnoxious sounds of dying pests. You’ll find devices that use fans or vacuums to trap them.
Maintenance involves cleaning out the collection tray. Some units have a grid instead where bugs fall through and collect underneath. The former option is more desirable since you remove them without leaving a mess.
Are They Effective?
Proper placement is essential to get the most out of your purchase. They work best if elevated off the ground and within 10 feet of the usable space. Bear in mind that they attract bugs. Therefore, you don’t want to place the unit next to you.
What Should I Look for in a Mosquito Trap?
You’ll find many products that run chemical-free for the safest use. Trapped insects die naturally within the unit. You’ll see items with pleasant designs that are unobtrusive. It’s often a primary selling feature.
Some also include the use of an attractant such as octenol. Mosquitoes and other pests seek out scents they find alluring such as carbon dioxide or lactic acid. Commercial products mimic these smells to increase the usefulness of the trap. However, they work well without them too.
Tips for Using Your Mosquito Trap
These products are most effective if they provide the main light source without competition from others. You can also boost their performance by making your yard less inviting to pests. Drain any stagnant water in bird baths, planters, or other containers. They provide the ideal breeding grounds for these insects.
Other things you can do can make your yard less desirable for pests. For example, if you have other light fixtures near your deck or patio, swap out any white bulbs for yellow ones instead. Also, consider your garden. Aromatic plants such as catnip, basil, and lemon balm can repel mosquitoes to prevent a problem in the first place.
If you have a water garden, you can replace it with another feature that is less enticing to bugs. Bear in mind that only a small amount of water is necessary to lure them to your yard. Making your outdoor space less inviting is an effective way of reducing the problem that is simple and safe.
It’s also helpful to avoid the times when they are most active. Dawn and dusk are peak activity hours. Remember that sweat also attracts biting insects. Stay indoors on warm days to make yourself less attractive to them. If you must go outside, apply a repellent to keep them at bay.
We suggest using more than one method to get your mosquito problem under control regardless of the model you get. Another way to tackle the issue is to call on Mother Nature for some reinforcements.
A bat house is an excellent way to control insects by providing shelter for these mammals. It also provides a way to educate your children about this often-misunderstood animal. They can devour over 1,000 bugs a night. Along with your mosquito trap, you have an excellent means to control pests in your yard.
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