Posted by Mosquito killer traps lure the blood-feeding insects with plumes of carbon dioxide that mimic human breath. They then capture the bugs on glue boards or through electricity.
Permethrin, a synthetic pyrethroid used to treat outdoor clothing and camping gear, repels mosquitoes when sprayed on clothing or equipment. Best Mosquito Killer include oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR3535 (which binds to the sensory receptors of mosquitoes), and cedarwood oil.
Outdoor Traps
If you spend time outdoors, open your windows in the evening, or have a garden, you’ve likely waged a battle with mosquitoes. These biting insects can prevent you from enjoying your yard, and they can even get inside through an open door or damaged window screen. Fortunately, there are several effective ways to keep them away, including using traps.
Some traps lure mosquitoes by emitting carbon dioxide, which mimics the breath of a mosquito. A quiet fan then sucks the pests into a collection chamber where they die. Others, like our top pick, are free of chemicals and feature a lantern-like design that blends in with your surroundings. It also keeps the dead bugs contained, which reduces the unpleasant odor that other traps can produce.
Another popular option is the DynaTrap, which offers three-way protection. It lures mosquitoes with a bright LED light and carbon dioxide, then a quiet fan sucks the pests in and contains them. The product is easy to use and has more than 55,000 five-star ratings.
While electric traps are simple to set up and use, some require a little more maintenance, such as regular replacement of glue boards or cleaning of collection chambers and vents. Propane traps also need to be fueled initially and replaced about every 3 weeks, as well as having their UV bulbs replaced periodically.
Indoor Traps
Several types of indoor traps can keep mosquitoes away from the inside of your home. Some use a light and attract mosquitoes with carbon dioxide, while others have a fan that sucks the insects into a slim paper glue trap for capture and kill. The best option for many is this trap from DynaTrap, which has a sleek black design that blends into a room and covers up to half an acre of space. It runs on electricity, but it emits a low hum that doesn’t disturb sleep. A clip-on Octenol lure is included with the device, and it’s recommended to replace it every 30 days.
Another option is this plug-in trap from Katchy, which has a convenient built-in power cord and covers up to 400 square feet. It comes with four sticky traps, but you can buy more to refill it as needed. Plug the device into any electrical outlet in a room where you’ve noticed mosquito activity. Remove the lid and place a sticky trap on top, then close the bottom with a push button.
Some bug sprays target mosquito killer they rest on outdoor foliage, but they don’t typically work well unless you spray them thoroughly, Buckner says. Plus, they often contain pesticides like pyrethroids that can damage flowers and other plants and wash into surface waters, where they can pose a risk to wildlife.
Repellents
Repellants are an essential part of your mosquito prevention arsenal, especially if you plan on spending time outside. They offer protection against annoying and itchy bites as well as potentially dangerous mosquito-borne diseases like malaria, Dengue fever, Zika and West Nile virus. There are a wide variety of repellent products available, from sprays to wristbands to zappers. To find the best mosquito killer, look for a product that offers high levels of DEET or picaridin (the active ingredient in some bug-repelling candles).
Aside from chemical repellents, physical barriers are the next best thing you can do to keep mosquitoes away. Mosquitoes breed in standing water, and they hide under tall grass and woody debris where it’s cool and moist. You can reduce the areas where mosquitoes hide by regularly putting out and checking screens, mowing the lawn, and cleaning up brush piles. If you have a pond or other body of water where mosquitoes breed, try adding safe larvacide (products that kill mosquito larvae) to the area or drain it completely after rain.
Citronella and other natural-repellent candles and wristbands don’t work very well against mosquitoes. Skin-applied repellents containing citronella, geranium, lavender, safrole-free sassafras and peppermint oils offer only modest protection against mosquitoes and can cause skin irritation. Other products that don’t work include dietary supplements containing vitamin B and garlic, as well as ultrasonic devices that emit sound waves that mosquitoes can hear but humans can’t.
Insecticides
While no product will kill mosquito killer at every stage of their life cycle, a combination of products may help control the pest. Choose sprays or granules to treat outdoor spaces and indoor areas where bugs are a nuisance.
Mosquito-specific sprays target adults and larvae that are resting on foliage, while granules attack the insects as they crawl through garden areas. A good choice is a product with permethrin, a compound used to treat clothing and camping gear that repels mosquitoes and ticks. Summit Mosquito Dunks and Gnat Barrier have this ingredient, along with other helpful ingredients.
Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides that also kill other insects, says Buckner. Such products are typically pyrethroids, which will also kill pollinators and other beneficial insects. A better choice is a natural, plant-based product like neem oil. Add 2 teaspoons of neem oil to a quart of water, shake it thoroughly and spray the solution on plant leaves. This will not only prevent damage to mosquitoes but also encourage the growth of natural predators that help keep pest populations under control.
For ponds and other bodies of water, try a sustained-release larvicide that controls mosquito larvae by slowly releasing a poisonous chemical. Many of these products contain bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which targets larvae in specific stages of development. Choose a Bt product that lists the particular insect you want to pestemite control, such as mosquitoes or worms, and make sure to follow all label directions.