Stop the itch. These are the best mosquito traps for a bug-free summer
Don't chance getting a ton of bites. Our editor-approved picks can help.
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Updated: 3:16 PM CDT Jun 12, 2025
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Summer is my favorite season for all the obvious reasons鈥擨 love a good hike, camping, pool time, and cookouts. But I often pay a very itchy price for spending most of my time outside in the summer. Mosquitoes love me, and I leave most outdoor outings this time of year with red welts from bites. Thankfully, I've found some relief that doesn't involve dousing myself in greasy, smelly bug sprays. These traps are different from repellents or zappers. These handy devices work by attracting mosquitoes through combinations of heat, scent, and light, drawing them in and capturing them. Unlike traditional bug zappers or chemical repellents, these traps get rid of mosquitoes in a tidier, often more effective way. They not only reduce the irritation of bites and buzzing but can also help lower the chances of mosquito-borne illnesses, like the Zika virus.Once dusk rolls in and mosquitoes begin to swarm, a mosquito trap can offer some much-needed relief. Below, we鈥檝e gathered a list of top-rated traps to help you reclaim your summer nights. Say goodbye to the swatting and scratching.Best Mosquito TrapsWhat to ConsiderCoverage AreaDetermine the size of the area you need to protect from mosquitoes. Are you dealing with mosquitoes in your residential backyard? Is this for a large outdoor or commercial space, like a golf course or private event venue? Will you use the trap at a campground or on vacation?Some traps are designed for smaller residential yards, while others are suitable for larger outdoor spaces or commercial use. Make sure to choose a trap with adequate coverage for your specific needs.Type of TrapThere are different types of mosquito traps available, including CO2 traps, UV light traps, propane traps, and electric traps. Each type works on a different principle, so consider which one aligns best with your preferences and the mosquito species in your area.Mosquito traps often use various attractants such as CO2, heat, light, and scents to lure mosquitoes. One train of thought is to choose a trap that uses multiple attractants to maximize its effectiveness. Another approach is to choose one that you鈥檙e most comfortable with. For example, if you prefer not to use a chemical-based trap, opt for a trap that uses fans or natural, safe, and non-toxic attractants like essential oils, sugar and yeast, and herbs like citronella, lavender, lemon balm, basil, and mint.PortabilityPlanning to bring your trap along on outdoor adventures? If so, portability is key. Compact, lightweight models are ideal for travel, whether you're headed to a campground, a picnic, or just moving the trap between your front and backyard. Some larger traps can weigh over 10 pounds and may be less convenient to relocate.MaintenanceUpkeep can vary widely depending on the trap design. Be sure to review what鈥檚 involved鈥攚hether it's emptying a container, changing attractant cartridges, recharging batteries, or giving the unit a regular clean. Choose one with maintenance demands you're comfortable with to ensure smooth, consistent performance.How We SelectedTo compile this list, I conducted thorough research into the current mosquito traps available across different price ranges and use cases. My choices were based on a blend of product features, customer feedback, and expert reviews from reputable outlets. I was also able to reference my own personal experiences with mosquito traps, as I have tried everything from sprays to candles to fan traps to minimize the number of bites I will get.
Summer is my favorite season for all the obvious reasons鈥擨 love a good hike, camping, pool time, and cookouts. But I often pay a very itchy price for spending most of my time outside in the summer. Mosquitoes love me, and I leave most outdoor outings this time of year with red welts from bites. Thankfully, I've found some relief that doesn't involve dousing myself in greasy, smelly bug sprays.
These traps are different from or . These handy devices work by attracting mosquitoes through combinations of heat, scent, and light, drawing them in and capturing them. Unlike traditional bug zappers or chemical repellents, these traps get rid of mosquitoes in a tidier, often more effective way. They not only reduce the irritation of bites and buzzing but can also help lower the chances of mosquito-borne illnesses, like the Zika virus.
Once dusk rolls in and mosquitoes begin to swarm, a mosquito trap can offer some much-needed relief. Below, we鈥檝e gathered a list of top-rated traps to help you reclaim your summer nights. Say goodbye to the swatting and scratching.
Best Mosquito Traps
Best Overall
DynaTrap DT1050-AZSR
amazon.com
$66.39
Best for the patio or yard a half-acre or smaller, the DynaTrap unit uses UV light and an inner titanium-dioxide-coated surface that produces a carbon dioxide trail, which mimics human breath and lures mosquitoes and other insects toward the trap.
A quiet fan finishes the job by sucking the pests into an internal basket. Beyond mosquitoes, this trap also captures house and biting flies, moths, no-see-ums, beetles, wasps, yellow jackets, stink bugs, gnats, and more.
Best for Large Outdoor Areas
DynaTrap DT2030SR
amazon.com
This is an outdoor insect control device with a big reach 鈥� it covers up to one acre. It uses a UV LED light and a titanium dioxide-coated surface to produce CO鈧�, mimicking human breath to attract mosquitoes and other flying insects. A quiet, fan-powered vacuum system then draws pests into a retaining cage where they dehydrate and die.
This bug catcher can be cleaned easily with its touch-button basket. It catches more than just mosquitoes as well; moths are very drawn to this model.
Best Natural Trap
Catchmaster Oasis Ovi-Mini Mosquito Trap
amazon.com
For an affordable and all-natural option for capturing mosquitos, these traps may be your answer. They leverage a design that lures female mosquitoes inside to lay their eggs. Once the eggs are laid, they fall through the mesh trap, hatch in the water, and emerging adult mosquitoes remain contained within the unit.
Upon setup, users add a combination of organic materials like clipped grass, dried leaves, and hay covered in water, rather than insecticides, to attract female insects.
Best Insecticide Trap
Inzecto Mosquito Control Trap
amazon.com
$28.00
This mosquito control trap utilizes a biological approach to control mosquito populations by targeting larvae development. Activated with tap water, the device creates a controlled aquatic environment that attracts egg-laying female mosquitoes. Inside, a larvicide prevents larvae from maturing into adults, interrupting population growth over time. The insecticide is non-toxic to humans and pets.
This trap is different from others I looked at, as it offers long-term mosquito control without electricity. However, trying to clean out the inside of this trap would get messy, so replacement is the only maintenance option. Traps need to be disposed of after three months.
Best Indoor Trap
Katchy Indoor Insect Trap
amazon.com
$33.99
Sometimes, bugs are not limited to your patio or yard. If you experience the unfortunate mosquito or fruit fly infestation that can happen indoors in the summer, this trap uses a UV light source to attract insects, a built-in fan to create a low-pressure airflow that draws them in, and a replaceable adhesive glue board to securely trap them.
Operating without chemical attractants or electric grids, the model offers a very quiet fan, built for kitchens, garages, and attics where insects may frequent. The sticky pads are helpful for trapping, but can be messy when changing them.
What to Consider
Coverage Area
Determine the size of the area you need to protect from mosquitoes. Are you dealing with mosquitoes in your residential backyard? Is this for a large outdoor or commercial space, like a golf course or private event venue? Will you use the trap at a campground or on vacation?
Some traps are designed for smaller residential yards, while others are suitable for larger outdoor spaces or commercial use. Make sure to choose a trap with adequate coverage for your specific needs.
Type of Trap
There are different types of mosquito traps available, including CO2 traps, UV light traps, propane traps, and electric traps. Each type works on a different principle, so consider which one aligns best with your preferences and the mosquito species in your area.
Mosquito traps often use various attractants such as CO2, heat, light, and scents to lure mosquitoes. One train of thought is to choose a trap that uses multiple attractants to maximize its effectiveness. Another approach is to choose one that you鈥檙e most comfortable with. For example, if you prefer not to use a chemical-based trap, opt for a trap that uses fans or natural, safe, and non-toxic attractants like essential oils, sugar and yeast, and herbs like citronella, lavender, lemon balm, basil, and mint.
Portability
Planning to bring your trap along on outdoor adventures? If so, portability is key. Compact, lightweight models are ideal for travel, whether you're headed to a campground, a picnic, or just moving the trap between your front and backyard. Some larger traps can weigh over 10 pounds and may be less convenient to relocate.
Maintenance
Upkeep can vary widely depending on the trap design. Be sure to review what鈥檚 involved鈥攚hether it's emptying a container, changing attractant cartridges, recharging batteries, or giving the unit a regular clean. Choose one with maintenance demands you're comfortable with to ensure smooth, consistent performance.
How We Selected
To compile this list, I conducted thorough research into the current mosquito traps available across different price ranges and use cases. My choices were based on a blend of product features, customer feedback, and expert reviews from reputable outlets. I was also able to reference my own personal experiences with mosquito traps, as I have tried everything from sprays to candles to fan traps to minimize the number of bites I will get.
