10 Best Mosquito Traps 2024 in the US

In most of North America, mosquitoes are a nuisance that can ruin a camping trip or a summer night outside. But mosquitoes have been more threatening than that. In fact, mosquito-borne diseases are responsible for more deaths yearly than any other creature! And the recent stories of cases of the mosquito-borne Zika virus in South and Central America are also worrisome. If possible, we would all prefer living in a mosquito-free environment. That’s where mosquito traps can come in handy.

You’ll find mosquito traps that use a fan to suck in mosquitoes and other flying pests. Others zap them with high voltage. It’s worthwhile getting familiar with what traps successfully attract and kill mosquitoes, and which are less effective. All of the traps that we reviewed avoid the use of toxic chemicals--so you can rid yourself of mosquitoes risk-free!

We’ve composed this buyer’s guide to help you make the right decision when selecting a mosquito trap. It'll help you:

• Choose the right type of mosquito trap,

• See useful tips about that type of mosquito trap,

• Read reviews of different mosquito traps, and what customers are saying,

• Select the right brand of a mosquito trap, and

• Compare prices and find the best deals.

• Fan-based insect traps: There are mosquito traps that first attract insects, and then suck them in with a powerful fan. The DynaTrap uses just such a design. It has a Titanium Dioxide-coated UV light bulb, that produces carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide attracts mosquitoes, and the device’s fan draws them into the device. The ultraviolet light produced by the light bulb can attract other flying insect pests.

DynaTrap DT1260 Insect Trap

• Bug zappers: These will run off wall current, while a voltage multiplier inside the device raises the 110 Volts or 220 Volts up to 2000 Volts. When a small insect enters the wire mesh surrounding a UV lamp inside the device, the insect is essentially roasted by the current running through its body. (It will give a painful shock to a human, but not something fatal.)

Hoont Bug Zapper

• Propane-based traps: There are propane mosquito traps for outdoors use. When propane burns, it releases carbon dioxide, which effectively lures the mosquitoes into the trap. The device will have a vacuum that sucks the insect into a container. They can also use a mosquito attractant such as octenol, to bring in an even greater number of mosquitoes. These devices will effectively control mosquito populations for an entire acre! They’ll also be temperature-controlled since mosquitoes are also attracted to the warmth of the human body.

• Unplug device when cleaning: When cleaning out the dead insects in a bug zapper, it is best to disconnect the device from the wall outlet. This is to avoid inadvertently getting a shock.

• Using an indoor trap: The manufacturers recommend plugging in a mosquito trap in your bedroom for 1-2 hours before going to sleep and then leaving the device running in the living room. This is because a person breathing carbon dioxide will lure more mosquitoes than the trap will!

• Pet- and kid-safe: You’ll prefer a trap that is pet- and kid-safe. Even the zappers, that can give a painful shock, are essentially safe, as long as a child doesn’t try to insert things into the high-voltage mesh.

• Replacement bulbs: In the event that the light bulb in your mosquito trap burns out, you’ll need replacement light bulbs. The DynaTrap mosquito trap comes with two replacement light bulbs, so you don’t have to bother to look for a replacement bulb online.

• Good for a number of insects: These traps can be effective on other insect pests, such as the DynaTrap, which can trap also Asian beetles, stink bugs, wasps, flies, and hornets. They are also effective against “no-see-ums”--midges that give a painful bite.

• USB rechargeable: Some devices are simple enough to allow you to charge them with a USB cable. You can hook up the power cable to a computer, power bank, or wall socket with the appropriate adapter.  

• Solar-powered outdoor trap lamp: There are also solar-powered insect traps, which uses a single “AA” rechargeable battery. When the solar cell is fully charged, it can provide UV light for up to 8 hours! You can choose whether to use it as a mosquito trap or as a light to illuminate your yard.

• The range of the mosquito trap: Some zapper mosquito traps are effective for 60 square meters. The Dynatrap Mosquito Trap is good for over ½ acre--that’s over 2000 square meters!

• Noise level: A mosquito trap that employs a suction fan is expected to make some noise. It’s worth checking whether the internal fan will be so noisy that it will disturb your sleep. The Nicedack Indoor Mosquito Killer Lamp runs at less than 45 decibels. For comparison, an air conditioner runs at 48 decibels! So it’s definitely quiet enough not to disturb you.

• Blue light: Many bug zappers employ a blue light, that (supposedly) attracts flying insects. The problem is, if you’re trying to eliminate mosquitoes, mosquitoes are not particularly attracted to blue light. (What does attract them is carbon dioxide since warm-blooded mammals exhale carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is a telltale sign to the mosquito that there is a warm-blooded animal in the area.) On the other hand, houseflies and midges are attracted to blue light at 365 nanometers wavelength. There are traps that use a blue lamp and a fan, or a blue light placed behind a high-voltage mesh.

Hoont is a maker of traps and repellents that are effective against a number of animal and insect pests. They make indoor and outdoor zappers for insects and rodent pests, as well as glue traps, repellent incense, decoys, and more.

Dynatrap makes traps to eliminate mosquitoes, moths, black flies, sand flies, midges, and more. Their mosquito trap uses a blue lamp and fan to suck in mosquitoes. The design was made by Juan Rocha and Jim Hunter, and they founded the company Dynamic Solutions Worldwide.

Yongtong Electronics are makers of electronic products for the home, such as video door phones, mosquito zappers, baby monitors, and more.