Mosquitos Ruining Your Night? These Tested Traps Actually Work

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Using a mosquito trap to control the mosquito population on your property isn’t just about comfort—it’s also about health. These relentless pests do more than cause irritating skin reactions and itching; they also pose a serious threat due to their potential to transmit diseases like malaria, West Nile virus, and Zika virus. 

To help eliminate these annoying bugs and increase your comfort and safety, we conducted comprehensive testing of 13 popular mosquito traps. Based on our efforts, we chose the Stem mosquito trap as our top pick for its easy setup, user-friendly functionality, and effective performance. Six other models also performed well, so read on to learn why we chose the following models as the best mosquito traps on the market today.  

1. BEST OVERALL: Stem Flying Insects Fan Trap
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2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Tysonir Electric Bug Zapper
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3. UPGRADE PICK: Dynatrap 1-Acre LED Mosquito and Insect Trap
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4. BEST INDOOR: Katchy Indoor Insect Trap
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5. BEST OUTDOOR: Ryobi ONE+ Cordless Bug Zapper
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6. BEST COMMERCIAL SPACE: Gardner WS-95 Wall Sconce Insect Light Trap
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7. BEST AESTHETIC: Buzbug Rechargeable LED Bug Zapper
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Mosquito Trap Comparison

Our Top Picks

The following mosquito traps all passed our tests for ease of use, effectiveness, durability, ease of cleaning, and value. 

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Durability 4.5/5; Ease of Cleaning 4.5/5; Value 5/5 

This fan trap from Stem earned our top award for its discreet and effective control of mosquitoes and other flying pests. Designed for indoor areas like kitchens, bedrooms, and living rooms, its UV light is subtle (visible mainly to bugs) compared to most UV models. Plus, its whisper-quiet adjustable fan is effective for pulling lightweight mosquitoes, gnats, and fruit flies onto the replaceable glue pad without any zapping noises or chemical sprays. The unit is easy to control via touchscreen buttons, has two fan speeds, four timers from 3 hours to 24/7, and a 6-foot cord.

Like any partial- or full-UV unit, the Stem flying insect trap did best in darker areas and at night, but overall collection (even indoors) was higher than with many other options thanks to the suction fan. Although the manufacturer doesn’t list the unit’s coverage area, this small mosquito trap did an excellent job across our open-plan kitchen, dining room, and living room. The only real downside we found is that twisting the base open to replace the glue trap seemed harder than it needed to be, though the individual unit we tested might just be particularly tight at that connection point. 

What our tester says: “When I first started testing, I assumed this little trap wouldn’t do much. Boy, was I wrong! Turns out this little fella is a powerhouse for attracting mosquitoes, and it’s small enough to take with us when we travel.”—Michelle Larson, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Stem mosquito trap at Amazon, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, Walmart, or Target.

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 4/5; Durability 5/5; Ease of Cleaning 5/5; Value 5/5

The Tysonir Electric Bug Zapper uses heat and ultraviolet light from its 15-watt Blu-ray bulb to attract mosquitoes and a variety of other bugs. Its 4,200V electric shock grid, which is surrounded by a protective ABS plastic housing, quickly kills bugs. This unit plugs into a standard 110V household power outlet. It’s rated for both indoor and outdoor use in all kinds of weather. Users can hang the lantern-style housing by the metal loop or set it on a solid surface. For a quick cleanup, users simply unscrew the threaded base.

Using this mosquito zapper is as easy as plug-and-go. It’s simple and effective but best used in a dark room or an unlit outdoor area. Although this trap did kill any insect that had the misfortune of being lured into its electric grid, we did have two cons. First, there is no power button. You have to plug and unplug the machine from the wall outlet. Second, the zapping sound is loud. For some people, this may be insurance that it’s working, but it startled us almost every time we heard the zap. Nonetheless, for the economical price and easy portability, the Tysonir Electric Bug Zapper is handy as a backup unit or as an extra bug zapper to take to the cabin or use in an RV. 

Get the Tysonir mosquito trap at Amazon.

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Durability 5/5; Ease of Cleaning 5/5; Value 4.5/5

Controlling mosquitoes in your yard is a big ask, but it’s what the DynaTrap 1-acre mosquito and insect trap was built for. With its UV-LED light, powerful fan, and extra-large collection basket, it attracts and traps mosquitoes and other insects without loud zapping or messy chemicals. In our tests, it was one of the simplest models to set up and use: Simply decide where you want to hang or set it, plug it in, and turn it on. Although its water-resistant construction and large size (about a foot tall and just over a foot in diameter) make it ideal outdoors, its quiet operation means you could use it indoors as well.

This mosquito light trap was another favorite in our tests. Because it uses a suction fan to pull lightweight mosquitoes toward it, it did a better job than models that use UV lights alone. It’s also quite a large unit, which makes sense given its substantial coverage area, yet it’s highly portable at just under 4 pounds. Cleanup is straightforward and hands-free; you just position it over your waste bin and press the button to open the base and drop the bugs. The only wish we had was that it had heat or carbon dioxide to pull in even more mosquitoes. 

What our tester says: “I don’t get bitten too badly by mosquitoes, but my daughter and husband do. The size of this beast alone made them more willing to spend time outside in the evenings, and its combo of suction fan plus light did an excellent job keeping all the bugs that bug them away.”—Michelle Larson, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Dynatrap mosquito trap at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Dynatrap.

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Durability 5/5; Ease of Cleaning 5/5; Value 4.5/5

The Katchy insect trap uses UV light to attract and trap mosquitoes indoors. When the trap is placed near the source of the insects (a trash bin, for example), its quiet fan draws the bugs into the capture basket and onto a sticky glue board. Run this unit day and night, and you should see fewer bugs in a couple of days. Both the light and fan are powered by a USB cable that plugs into a wall adapter or a portable USB power source. This electric mosquito trap for home use is also compatible with scent attractants. 

We loved how well this product captured annoying fungus gnats and fruit flies. We did not think we had issues with mosquitoes indoors until we ran this machine for a whole week. We checked the trap daily and were amazed by the number of bugs stuck to the glue paper, including several mosquitoes! We do think the trap is a bit spendy. It only comes with four glue boards, and its coverage area is 320 square feet. Refill glue boards are available. However, it works well and will help eliminate fruit flies, gnats, and mosquitoes that invade your home.

Get the Katchy mosquito trap at Amazon or Walmart.

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 4/5; Durability 4.5/5; Ease of Cleaning 4.5/5; Value 4.5/5

Ryobi’s cordless outdoor mosquito trap brings 2,550 volts of zapping power to backyards, campgrounds, or tailgate lots up to 1½ acres—yet it delivers all that output in a highly portable 3.34-pound package complete with a carry handle. Because the unit runs off Ryobi’s 18-volt ONE+ battery lineup, users can swap the included battery into other compatible tools or purchase the tool-only version if they’re already fans of the brand. 

With integrated UV-LED lights to lure flying insects into its electric mesh grid, this was one of the mosquito traps for yard​ use that was more effective against flies and gnats than mosquitoes (simply because mosquitoes aren’t particularly attracted to light alone). Still, setup was as simple as charging the battery, the timer (2, 4, or 6 hours) meant we didn’t have to remember to turn it off, and the integrated 3-level lantern made our nighttime cribbage sessions on the deck much easier. Just remember that, as a battery-operated tool, it’s not fully waterproof. 

Get the Ryobi mosquito trap at The Home Depot.

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Durability 4/5; Ease of Cleaning 5/5; Value 4/5

The Gardner WS-95 offers a reliable and straightforward solution for capturing flying insects without emitting carbon dioxide (CO2) indoors. We appreciated this aspect, as we prefer not to use any type of mosquito CO2 trap indoors. 

Setting up the mosquito trapper was effortless. We hung it on a wall, inserted the included catch board, and patiently awaited the results. However, after 24 hours, we found only one tiny dead gnat lying on the glue board, despite noticing multiple mosquitoes and flies hovering around the trap. 

Perplexed, we realized that we had forgotten to peel off the protective paper that revealed the sticky side of the board. Once we rectified this user error, the trap started capturing a significantly higher number of flying insects. This trap operates without an annoying zapper. The intense UV light attracts nearby insects, and upon entering the open-weave top, they encounter the glue board and get trapped.

Aside from its functionality, the Gardner sconce boasts an attractive design, and we installed it on a kitchen wall, where insects tend to gather. However, there are a couple of downsides to consider. First, there is no shut-off switch, requiring the trap to be plugged in to turn on and unplugged to turn off. Second, the trap comes with only one sticky board. Additional boards must be purchased separately. The manufacturer recommends changing the glue board monthly and replacing the UV light annually.

Overall, the Gardner WS-95 is a powerful and user-friendly trap for controlling flying insects indoors.

Get the Gardner mosquito trap at Amazon or Walmart.  

Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 4/5; Durability 4/5; Ease of Cleaning 4./5; Value 5/5

Catching mosquitoes indoors doesn’t often involve particularly attractive appliances, but the retro look of the Buzbug rechargeable bug zapper changes that. With its dual-wave UV design, this mosquito zapper is engineered to increase its draw of flying insects by up to 30 percent, pulling them toward a 3800-volt people- and pet-safe grid to meet their demise. The rechargeable unit gets to full power in 4.5 hours via USB-C charging and runs up to 8.5 hours cord-free. It’s easy to hang or carry with the attached leather-like lanyard—just be careful to protect it from the weather if you use it outdoors since it’s not waterproof. 

Like the other UV-only bug zappers for mosquitoes we tested, the Buzbug is more effective against pests like flies and gnats than mosquitoes. That said, it easily had the best aesthetic of all the mosquito traps we tried, almost reminding us of an old-fashioned TV with its screen turned to static after programming ended for the night. Plus, when we used it on our deck during good weather, it made a massive difference against no-see-ums and flies. If mosquitoes are your biggest issue, however, you might want to pair it with another lure that attracts them better than light alone. 

Get the Buzbug mosquito trap at Amazon.

ALSO TESTED

We actually really liked the look of the Pic Solar Insect Zapper Torches during testing, but unfortunately, they just didn’t perform as well as the rest. Only one solar mosquito zapper within the 2-pack turned on consistently, and because they didn’t light up until it was almost totally dark outside (not at dusk like most solar lights), we didn’t notice much of a difference when we were outside. Their flickering-flame LED lights are adorable, though, so they could be a good backup option that doubles as an attractive pathlight. 

Jump to Our Top Picks

How We Tested the Best Mosquito Traps

To find the best mosquito traps, we began by researching top options across a range of attraction methods (UV, fan, etc.) and placement recommendations (indoor, outdoor, both). After selecting 13 for testing, we set up each trap according to the manufacturer’s directions, placed them in their recommended areas (inside at counter height and away from windows, or outside at head height and in the shade), and began regularly checking their glue traps and collection chambers over the coming weeks.

We then evaluated each mosquito trap against established criteria: ease of setup and cleaning, insect-attracting effectiveness, durability, and overall value. After assigning them scores for how well they did in each category, we chose a handful of products for awards and got rid of the rest. 

Our Testing Scores

What to Consider When Choosing a Mosquito Trap

According to Kyle Boureston, founder of MosGone, a mosquito control company based in Austin, Texas, “Mosquito traps are the only truly effective way to control the mosquito population. Repellents and insecticides will kill almost anything they come into contact with while being sprayed, such as pollinators like bees and butterflies, and generally lose their efficacy shortly after being sprayed.”

When evaluating available bug traps for a pest-free home and yard, consider the following criteria. 

Types of Mosquito Traps

Mosquitoes are drawn to the carbon dioxide that people and animals exhale and the body heat we produce. Mosquito traps use a variety of methods to mimic these outputs with the aim of attracting and capturing these pests.

Fan Suction and Glue Board

Mosquitoes are weak fliers, and fan traps create suction that pulls them into their collection chambers. Many fan traps also have glue boards (cardboard with adhesive on one side), so that when a mosquito gets sucked into a fan trap’s collection chamber, it hits the glue board and sticks to it. Don’t take that to mean you can use fly trap paper for mosquitoes, however, as it’s not an effective mosquito lure.

Ultraviolet Light

Many mosquito traps use compact fluorescent or LED ultraviolet (UV) lighting embedded in an electric grid (aka bug zapper). Unlike other types of insects, mosquitoes aren’t attracted to UV alone, and it adds little to the heat/carbon dioxide effects. For that reason, UV-light traps often perform better when paired with an intake fan or a bit of added chemical bait (octenol). 

Propane 

Propane traps burn fuel to produce heat and carbon dioxide, mimicking exhaled breath from warm-blooded hosts. When mosquitoes approach the plumes, fans draw them into a collection chamber. 

Water 

While eliminating standing water means eliminating a breeding habitat for mosquitoes, using Mosquito Bits in birdbaths, landscape ponds, and other water features acts as a natural larvicide that’s safe for people, pets, frogs, fish, and other aquatic animals.

Longevity

Weather conditions notwithstanding, the longevity of a mosquito trap depends on the type of trap and the components of the trap. LED UV lights can last for approximately 3,000 hours, or 4 months of continuous use, while glue boards for indoor traps can last up to 30 days before becoming full.

The length of time a propane mosquito trap can run depends on the size of the propane cylinder. A small propane tank (the size that attaches to a gas grill) can run a propane mosquito trap around the clock for about 3 weeks. Every time you refill the propane tank, remember to replace chemical attractants, empty the collection chamber, and clean the vents.

Ease of Use

Like most mosquito repellents, most mosquito traps are incredibly easy to use. Simply attach a glue board (if applicable), plug them in, and turn them on. Ongoing maintenance includes replacing the glue boards when full, cleaning the collection chamber and vents, and replacing the UV bulb if it burns out. 

If you have a propane trap, cleaning may take a bit longer because these larger devices tend to attract more mosquitoes than their electric counterparts.

Placement and Coverage

Indoor traps are generally meant for kitchens, bedrooms, or living areas, and they’ll be most effective a few feet off the ground on a counter or table and away from windows and fans. Outdoor traps should be hung in shady spaces 3 to 6 feet off the ground and 20 to 40 feet away from gathering spaces. 

Indoor traps may cover 300 to 2,000 square feet per unit, while outdoor models handle ¼ to 1½   acres. For more comprehensive coverage, you’re better off using multiple traps than a single large one. Even adding a DIY mosquito trap 5 to 10 feet away from a store-bought one can help. 

FAQ 

If you’re still wondering how to get rid of mosquitoes, the following answers to commonly asked questions can help.

Q. Are mosquito traps worth it? 

Yes, if chosen correctly and operated properly, mosquito traps can effectively reduce the mosquito population in the coverage area. However, if you live in a particularly affected area (near standing water, for example), you may need an additional mosquito treatment from a pest control professional.

Q. How do mosquito traps work?

Mosquito traps work by mimicking the presence of a mosquito host, such as a human or large animal, to lure mosquitoes into a contained area where they can’t bite people or spread disease. To do this, they may use attractants such as heat and carbon dioxide, or a suction fan that draws them in when they fly within the trap’s coverage area.

Q. What’s the best place to set a mosquito trap? 

In general, indoor traps should be set up at counter height and away from windows and fans, while outdoor traps should be waist- to head-height, in the shade, and 20 to 40 feet removed from hangout areas.  

Q. Are mosquito traps safe for pets and humans?

Yes, mosquito traps are safe for pets and humans when used as directed. If you’d prefer to avoid trapping them altogether, however, you can try building a bat house. Bats have a voracious appetite for mosquitoes, and providing them with a place to call home can help eliminate them altogether.  

Q. Do mosquito traps attract more mosquitoes? 

Yes and no—compared to mosquito repellents you apply and mosquito repellent machines, mosquito traps are indeed intended to attract mosquitoes. That said, most don’t have a large enough coverage area to draw mosquitoes into an area that wouldn’t already be there.

Q. Do I need any extras (fuel, insecticide, etc.) when buying a mosquito trap? 

For a propane-powered mosquito trap, you’ll need fuel. Traps that use glue boards often come with refills, though you’ll likely need more over time. Ultraviolet light traps typically come with everything you need (and their bulbs should last several months at a minimum), though you may want to add a chemical attractant like octenol to attract and eliminate even more mosquitoes.

Q. How often do you need to replace a mosquito trap?

That depends on the type of trap you’re using and the size of the mosquito problem in your area. Large outdoor units can hold quite a few bugs and only need to be emptied when full. Indoor traps need their glue boards replaced when full (likely weekly to monthly) to maintain adequate protection. 

Meet the Testers

Michelle Larson has been a writer and editor for more than 10 years in the fields of health, business, and the home. Having spent a good chunk of her life in the Midwest, she’s no stranger to mosquitoes and strongly believes in the power of testing for finding solutions to help readers get rid of them. 

Glenda Taylor is a product tester and writer specializing in the construction, remodeling, and real estate industries. She tests a wide range of power tools as well as other home improvement, household, and lawn-and-garden products.

Mark Wolfe is a writer and product tester with a background in the nursery and landscaping industry. For more than 20 years, he mowed, edged, planted, pruned, cultivated, irrigated, and renovated beautiful landscapes. Now he tests and writes reviews about the latest outdoor power equipment, hand tools, lawn-care products, and other outdoor-living goods.

Debbie Wolfe is a photographer, author, and freelance writer in various niches. She has contributed hundreds of home, garden, and crafting articles and DIY tutorials for leading media outlets and retailers. Her testing approach is straightforward and budget-minded.  

The post Mosquitos Ruining Your Night? These Tested Traps Actually Work appeared first on Bob Vila.

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