Best Mosquito Trap to Buy or DIY: 2019 Buying Guide

One of the most obnoxious of outdoor nuisances is the mosquito. In damp areas or when night falls, it can quickly turn pleasant experiences into dreadful discomfort. Modern technology, however, has mitigated the threat of these dangerous pests with the development of the mosquito trap. Whether by heat, by light or by some other means, these devices lure the marauding mosquito to its doom. However, while highly sophisticated commercial products are available, you can get a similar effect with a few tools and a little knowledge. Whether by making or buying a trap, you can eliminate irritating mosquitoes and begin to enjoy the outdoors once again.

Best Mosquito Trap Comparison Table

This articles describes the best mosquito traps across several different types of traps. Some of these traps can be bought from retailers including Amazon and others are do-it-yourself or DIY mosquito traps. The table below is a quick reference in choosing the best mosquito trap for your situation. A careful review of all the available options resulted in one best pick across the different categories of mosquito traps.

Mosquito Trap		Price	Type	Location
DynaTrap DT2000XL Insect Trap		Our Top Pick Check Price	CO2, UV Light, Heat	Indoor or Outdoor
DynaTrap DT1050-DEC Insect Trap One-Half Acre		Check Price	CO2, UV Light, Heat	Indoor
Dynatrap Insect Trap with Water Tray		Check Price	CO2, UV Light, Heat, Water	Indoor or Outdoor
Mosquito Magnet MM4200B Patriot Plus		Check Price	Propane	Outdoor

Different Types or Methods of Mosquito Traps

There are a number of kinds of mosquito traps, but those you see most often belong to one of five categories. Our best pick in each category is shown in the comparison table above.

Carbon Dioxide CO2 Mosquito Trap

The principle behind the working of these traps is that carbon dioxide will attract mosquitoes by suggesting to them the presence of humans, who exhale the CO2 gas. Although carbon dioxide traps are safe for use inside and out and do not cost much, they are dubiously effective. Moreover, they sometimes require separate equipment, such as carbon dioxide gas balloons. However, this Dynatrap XL combines UV light with CO2 and heat to make a trap extra enticing to mosquitos.

UV Mosquito Traps

The best place for these traps is indoors. The light draws the mosquitoes, which are then caught and killed. This is a comparatively clean method, as it eliminates the need for gasses and cuts out the concomitant odors. However, they can be noisy, and since they run on electricity, you cannot call them the most energy efficient of the options.

Water Mosquito Traps

This kind of trap is one of the most effective and targets reproducing female mosquitoes. It is safe for use anywhere and requires relatively little equipment. It can, though, be messy, as it is necessary that you refresh the trays of water and clean up the dead mosquito population. However, the costs for water traps are low, and the simplicity of these traps may outweigh the unpleasant aspects.

Propane Mosquito Traps

These outdoor traps are rather complex, as they are designed to mimic not only human body heat, but also human odor and breathing. Though costly, propane traps are effective and can come conveniently without wires to plug in. Unfortunately, however, they necessitate the use of propane balloons, a fact which can be off-putting.

Heat Mosquito Traps

Using heat to trap mosquitos can be quite effective. The heat acts as a lure to the mosquitoes, which detect and interpret it as coming from a human body. Heat traps are best outdoors, where they can work over an area up to 2 acres, but you can also use them inside a house if it is sizable. The downside, however, is that they are extremely expensive as well as rather large and unwieldy. Therefore it’s best to select a UV or carbon dioxide trap with the added benefit of heat as part of the trap. The aforementioned Dynatrap XL trap is a excellent choice.

Outdoor versus Indoor Mosquito Traps

As stated above, you can use traps indoors and out. However, you will not always use the same kinds in the house as in the yard. The main distinguishing factor between the two traps is their safety. You don’t want something dangerous or toxic in your home. Therefore, propane traps, for example, are never an indoor option.

Another important characteristic of indoor versus outdoor traps is their size. You naturally want something that fits easily into a home and does not take up a great deal of space. The only exception is the heat trap. These can be very large, which makes them unsuitable for most homes but doesn’t disqualify them from indoor use, given the appropriate space.

You will also want to consider the size of the area which you want to protect from mosquitoes. There are many products which come in a variety sizes and prices based upon the area covered. For example look this bug zapper with mosquito attractant. It’s sold with protection from half an acre to one and half acres.

Best Indoor Mosquito Trap

Of all the options, the best kind of indoor trap uses water. Although many indoor traps employ light, heat or some combination thereof, water traps are far more effective. When, however, water, electricity, and carbon dioxide get together, you wield a mighty weapon. The best options for indoor mosquito traps will use at least two of these features, such as the Dynatrap DT1050-DEC, which combines electricity, carbon dioxide, and a vacuum fan, or the Dynatrap DT1210, which adds water to the methods of catching mosquitos.

Homemade Mosquito Traps

If you don’t want to take a chance on any of the various models available, if you are trying to be economical, or if you simply like to do it yourself, you can always make a mosquito trap for your home or yard. There are several varieties and methods, and although they may not be as effective as the commercial equivalents, they can still put up a good fight against the dangerous and obnoxious pests.

Carbon Dioxide Homemade Mosquito Trap

This homemade mosquito trap uses carbon dioxide to entice the mosquitoes, which eventually drown.

Mosquito Trap Materials:

• 2-liter bottle
• Blade
• Duct tape
• Black paper or paint
• 1/4 cup of brown sugar
• 1 cup of hot water
• Package of dry active yeast

Mosquito Trap Instructions:

1. Cut off the top of the bottle just below where it begins to narrow.
2. Turn the top portion upside down and place it inside the bottom section.
3. Tape the edges of the two pieces together, creating a seal.
4. Blacken the bottom of the bottle with paper or paint to prevent the sun from heating the contents.
5. Dissolve the sugar in the water and cool just until it is comfortable to touch.
6. Add the yeast and put the mixture into the trap.
7. Position the bottle in the shade and away from your sitting area. Refresh the bait every two weeks.

DIY Mosquito Trap

This trap, called an ovitrap, is a water trap that lends itself to the female’s reproductive instincts and then kills off her offspring. The mosquito will lay eggs on a wet sock, and when they hatch, the larvae will pass through a screen to the water below, get trapped as they grow, and then drown.

Materials:

• Black 1-liter container
• Large black socks
• Silicone-based glue
• Metal screen
• 18- or 20-gauge wire
• Chalk
• Drill
• Scissors
• Wire cutter

Instructions:

1. On opposite sides of the container, drill a small hole near the top and a 0.25-inch hole one-fifth of the way down from upper edge of the container.
2. Glue the toe of the sock to the interior bottom of the container. Let the glue dry.
3. Lay your container upside down on the screen, and trace around the perimeter with chalk. Cut along the line.
4. Cut a 2-foot piece of wire.
5. Stretch your sock over the sides of the container until the top edge overlaps the bottom. Glue it in place.
6. Push your screen into the container such that if it forms a concave shape, the lowest point of the curve will be immediately above the larger holes.
7. Using the wire and the smaller holes, fashion a handle.
8. Add stagnant water, such as from a pond.
9. Hang up the trap to catch mosquitoes.

A Simple Mosquito Trap DIY

Perhaps the simplest and most straightforward trap mentioned here, this trap uses a fan to collect the mosquitoes for manual extermination.

Materials:

• Box fan
• Window screen
• Duct tape or zip ties
• Spray bottle
• Rubbing alcohol
• Water

Instructions:

1. Set up the box fan so the side which blows air is pointing away from the area from which you wish to draw the mosquitoes.
2. Cover the opposite side of the fan with a window screen, attaching the screen with duct tape or zip ties.
3. Turn on the fan and let it suck mosquitoes onto the screen.
4. Spray the mosquitoes with a mixture consisting of equal parts of alcohol and water. When they are dead, shake or brush them off and repeat.

Why Use a Mosquito Trap?

Using a mosquito trap may have mixed support among homeowners and apartment dwellers. While many are enthusiastic about it, trapping mosquitoes may seem unnecessary to others when bug repellents or natural pest control can do the job. However, there are good reasons to trap and kill mosquitoes rather than simply driving them away or leaving it up to your chickens.

Most obviously, mosquitoes are pests and can take the fun and relaxation out of outdoor activities. Attempting to reduce their number seems like a good idea and for the benefit of lovers of nature. However, the most important reason to trap and kill mosquitoes is to eliminate the danger of the serious diseases they can carry.

Zika, which can cause defects in unborn babies; dengue, from which one can develop a hemorrhagic fever; West Nile virus, which can result in meningitis; malaria and yellow fever, both of which can be deadly; and Rift Valley fever, which may be deleterious to your vision, are only a few of the diseases imparted by mosquitoes. Not all mosquitoes carry them, and not everyone who falls prey to the illnesses will experience the extreme effects. These facts, however, do not detract from the obvious truth that elimination of the risks is extremely desirable.

Mosquito Trap Reviews

When searching for mosquito traps, whether you intend to use them inside or outside, it is, of course, best to scan the internet for reviews. You will find a wide variety of opinions, but reading between the lines, you can determine which one best suits your needs.

This article provides a few low budget mosquito trap products. In this review, you can find traps analyzed and chosen according to various needs. For an overall assessment, take a look at this mosquito trap review article.

These reviews are only a few of the many resources available, but they will help to inform you about what is on the market and to decide exactly which features you want to enjoy in your own trap.

Conclusion
Mosquitoes need be a threat no longer. The mosquito trap has made the outdoors safer and more pleasant than it could have been before. With so many excellent products to choose from and with such simple devices to make, you can eliminate large numbers of the pests in your home or yard with efficiency and ease.