Whether your mosquito problem is indoors or out, in a large area or a small one, a mosquito trap is available. Keep reading to learn more about the criteria used to select the best mosquito traps for different situations.

Purpose

Mosquito traps cannot guarantee that the mosquitoes won’t bite. A trap is most effective when used as part of a broader mosquito control program that includes habitat modification, physical barriers like window screens and clothing, insect repellents, and more. Before buying a mosquito trap, understand how it functions and its limitations. Ask these kinds of questions: How does the trap collect mosquitoes? How much area does it cover? How is it powered? Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions for setup and maintenance. Indoor mosquito traps may be ineffective for outdoor use, and outdoor traps placed in the wrong location may even make your mosquito problem worse.

Types of Mosquitoes

As of 2020, at least 176 mosquito species are known to exist in the United States. Each species acts on a unique set of visual, thermal, and scent cues to seek and find a blood meal. For this reason, different traps are designed to appeal to different mosquito species, but the reasons are not entirely clear. Though these devices are capable of capturing a variety of mosquitoes, trap manufacturers rarely provide data as to the success of their traps in attracting and eliminating specific species.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Use

Outdoor traps use carbon dioxide and heat—and sometimes light—to attract mosquitoes. Some traps also use scents meant to mimic human scent. Many outdoor mosquito traps capture a large number of insects inside a screened chamber where they desiccate or dry out until the chamber is emptied.

Indoor mosquito traps rely primarily on heat and light to attract bugs. A high level of indoor carbon dioxide is unhealthy, and the chemical odors some outdoor traps emit would be unbearable in a closed environment. Instead of a holding chamber filled with thousands of insect carcasses, most indoor traps contain the insects on sticky glue boards that can be replaced quickly, cleanly, and easily.

Ease of Use

An electric mosquito trap is easy to set up and use: Just plug it in and turn it on. As mentioned, it requires the regular replacement of glue boards, cleaning of collection chambers and vents, and the occasional replacement of UV bulbs. These tasks are simple and take just minutes to perform, and they are easy to remember because they happen at regular intervals.

Portability

Some traps are designed to be set up and used in a single location. Wall units and some of the larger electric traps, for instance, must be positioned close to an electrical outlet. On the other hand, mosquito traps with USB adapters are easily moved around because they may be powered from a charger hub that is plugged into the wall or with a portable powerpack.