Mosquitos aren’t just irritating, they’re dangerous. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for encouraging wildlife in the garden, insects included, but mosquitoes spread viruses and parasites (West Nile virus being the most common in the US).
In this article, we’re going to talk through the best mosquito killers and the best mosquito repellents, and dispel some myths around mosquito repellents that don’t work too.
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Best Mosquito Killers for 2023
Best Mosquito Traps for 2023
How to Get Rid of Mosquitoes in Your House
Mosquitoes might look tiny in the first look, but they do have a bite, which is extremely poisonous and sometimes unbearable for the human body. A mosquito bite is responsible for certain health issues or diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, or dengue.
Keeping this fact in mind, you need to learn some necessary and important ways to figure out how to kill mosquitoes. So right here we have the best five ways to get rid of mosquitoes in your house:
Method No 1: Camphor
Camphor is associated with the concept of being a natural home remedy, which will help you to prevent your home from mosquitoes both indoor and outdoor. It has a strong odor that mosquitoes get irritated from.
This is quite an easy and simple remedy to perform at your home. You have to close all your home doors and windows and light up the camphor. In just 30 minutes, you will find some excellent results in your home.
Method No 2: Garlic
Garlic is manufactured from specific properties, which will let the mosquitoes stay away from you. You need to crush some cloves of garlic and let it be boiled in some water.
You have to pour it in some spray bottle and sprinkle it around your home or garage areas. Garlic is one such material that mosquitoes dislike the most. They have a strong scent.
Method No 3: Coffee grounds
You will have some coffee grounds in your kitchen, for sure. And these coffee grounds are best to be used for preventing mosquitoes in your home.
You have to pour some coffee grounds in stagnant water all-around your basic environment. This will enable the mosquito eggs to come on top of the surface easily, and they will die due to less amount of oxygen.
Method No 4: Lavender oil
On the next, we have the use of lavender oil! It has been 100% tested and tried that mosquitoes can never stay in front of lavender oil scent. So you can take advantage of it.
You can spray the lavender oil around your home or in lawn areas as well. Also, you can use it on your body so you can prevent their bite.
Method No 5: Mint
The use of mint is one of the most ordinary and historical home remedies which you can use to prevent mosquitoes in your home. Just like lavender oil, mosquitoes do not like the smell of any mint flavor. This is quite an easy and simple remedy to perform at your home.
You can take some fresh mint or mint oil. You just need to place it in such areas where you feel the greater risk of facing mosquitoes alert. It would be the best idea if you will grow some mint shrubs in your home.
Mosquito Killers Buyer’s Guide
What to Look For When Buying Mosquito Killers
Always check reviews when you’re buying mosquito repellents. It’s an unregulated industry, so there are some really bad products on the market, so check what other people are saying about mosquito killers because if they don’t work for them, they probably won’t work for you.
It’s important to understand what type of mosquito repellent you want because it’s not always as simple as hanging a mosquito zapper over a door.
There are quite a few different ways to keep mosquitos at bay, and in the next section we’ll weigh up the options.
Types of Mosquito Killers
The best way to reduce mosquitoes in the garden is an electric mosquito zapper, but try to pair it with sensible planting. Mosquitoes hate citronella plants as much as they hate the candles and diffusers.
While you can attract them with flypaper, it’s never the most cost-effective way to keep them at bay – especially if your patio is really popular with these biting insects.
When it comes to choosing between electric, organic and chemical mosquito killers, electric bug zappers are the best way to kill mosquitos, but I’ll always prefer to try organic options first.
But beware – when it comes to organic insecticides, organic doesn’t mean it’s safe!
Electric Mosquito Killers
There are two types of electric mosquito deterrents; plug-in mosquito repellents, and mosquito zappers.
- Plug-in mosquito repellents claim to work by emitting an ultrasonic frequency that is unpleasant to mosquitos, but it’s not backed up by the science.
These plug-in devices do have some degree of success according to buyers though, but I’d be wary of their efficacy. - Mosquito zappers are by far the most effective method of mosquito control. Mosquitos are drawn to the light and killed instantly by a sudden electric shock.
The only problem with most mosquito zappers is that they tend to attract other night-time pollinators, so do have an adverse knock-on effect.
Chemical Mosquito Killers
Chemical mosquito killers mostly come as aerosols and mosquito killer sprays. They nearly all have the same active ingredient – DEET. DEET is a brand name for N, N-Diethyl-3-Methylbenzamide which is safe to use in small amounts on humans, but incredibly dangerous for pets and other animals, which can ingest it from their fur, leading to seizures and vomiting.
I personally prefer citronella sprays, but for anyone with sensitive skin, there are gentler alternatives that we’ll cover in our reviews.
Organic Mosquito Killers
Organic mosquito killers tend to be sticky fly papers, and they do work but are an expensive method of mosquito control, and each strip can fill up in a single day in the middle of summer.
If you need an added layer of protection during the day for a BBQ or a garden party, mosquito paper is a really useful tool, and you can buy reusable mosquito traps too that are proven to work almost as well as single-use flypaper.
Other organic mosquito controls include citronella, which as well as smelling incredible is one of the oldest known insect repellents, along with eucalyptus and lavender (Grow lavender at home using our how to grow and care guide). Essentially, the stronger and sourer the smell, the less that bugs like it.
Mosquitos are particularly offended by citronella though, so whether you use candles, diffusers or plant citronella plant in the garden near the patio, citronella is probably the best organic mosquito repellent there is.
Mosquito Foggers
One of the most effective ways to get rid of Mosquitos from any space is a mosquito fogger, which is by far the most efficient and fastest-acting way to de-bug your garden if you suffer from serious mosquito infestations.
Our article on mosquito foggers explores everything you need to know about these clever tools, including some of the best mosquito foggers to buy.
Mosquito Killers Safety Guide
Aerosol Killers or Mosquito Sprays
Any aerosol mosquito killers, though effective, are dangerous to humans and animals too. Never use mosquito sprays indoors, or enclosed patios and make sure any space you use them is well ventilated.
If you get any mosquito killer spray on your skin, wash it off immediately, and if you ingest any by accident, consult a doctor straight away.
Electric Mosquito Killers
Keep your hands away from electric mosquito zappers as they do shock. While the level of electric shock from a mosquito zapper is low, it can still give a nasty bite so make sure it’s switched off before cleaning out any debris.
For hygiene reasons, clean out your bug zappers as soon as you notice flies starting to build up.
Organic Mosquito Killers
Citronella products can cause skin rashes and exacerbate eczema and dermatitis, so wear gloves when using them, and if you have split skin or open wounds, protect them as citronella is a very potent essential oil.
Citronella is nontoxic though, so don’t worry, just wash it out to avoid irritation.
7 Best Mosquito Zapper Reviews
Mosquito zappers work by attracting mosquitos to electrocuted mesh using a UV lamp that flies are innately and instinctively drawn to. The best mosquito zappers are easy to clean, easy to hang, and safe to use too.
Remember these are tools designed to electrocute anything that touches them, so try to choose a bug zapper with some decent safety features.
The Black+Decker bug zapper is a general-purpose insect zapper, but is especially good at attracting mosquitoes, with a range of up to 1 acre provided there is direct sight between mosquitoes and the zapper.
This mosquito killer is also a plug-in, so rather than relying on batteries and the limited power they can supply, this zapper packs a punch, and has a much brighter UV light than many other models, making it much more effective.
Its external grid makes it safe to brush past too, so it’s great for indoor or outdoor use.
Pros
Indoor & outdoor
Easy to clean (collection tray)
Plug-in
High voltage
Cons
- Expensive
2. Aspectek Electronic Indoor Mosquito Killer
The Aspectek bug killer is a good mid-range zapper, with a few different options available on Amazon, including 20w and 40w mosquito zappers. Their zapper comes with replacement bulbs too which is a great bonus.
The Aspectek mosquito zapper is designed for indoor use only, which means it’s not great for outdoor use, but can be moved outdoors on sunny days for added protection but should never be kept out in the rain.
Pros
Good value
Easy to clean (collection tray)
Plug-in
Cons
Looks industrial
Indoor only
3. Zap It! Mosquito Zapper Racket
I’m including this in our reviews because even though Zap It! make great bug zapper rackets, they should be used with some scepticism against mosquitos.
Mosquitos are exceptionally small flies with fast reactions so relying on zapper rackets alone is pretty unlikely to solve your mosquito problems.
They’re a great addition to fly control measures though, so if you’re going to buy a bug zapper racket, at least buy the best.
Pros
Indoor & outdoor
Convenient
Rechargeable
Cons
Expensive
Hard to clean
Not very effective
4. BLACK+DECKER Mosquito Zapper
Black+Decker offers a few more expensive options but I really like this bug zapper for smaller gardens, with a coverage of over half an acre, which makes it more than good enough for the average home, and even smallholdings.
The Black+Decker mosquito zapper range is really well designed too, so unlike most zappers that look old fashioned, industrial, and pretty disgusting, just sitting full of flies on the patio, black and decker’s lantern-style zappers are a nice looking zapper.
Pros
Indoor & outdoor
Easy to clean (collection tray)
Plug-in
High voltage
Good value
Cons
- None
5. BLACK + DECKER Indoor Mosquito Zapper
Black+Decker’s indoor bug zapper is great for mosquitos, especially if they’ve made it past your final defences. The great high about indoor bug zappers is that they’re even more attractive during the day to insects and mosquitos who are intrigued by the concentrated indoor UV lamps.
The protective cover on this mosquito zapper box makes it safe for kids and pets too.
Pros
Easy to clean (collection tray)
Plug-in
High voltage
Cons
Expensive
Indoor only
6. FVOAI Outdoor Electric Mosquito Zapper
This is the best budget mosquito zapper we’ve found, with high voltage and effective mosquito control, and a bright UV lamp that should work to attract mosquitos from up to 100m away.
It’s not well made, and the plastic casing seems likely to break if it falls from its hook, but for the price, you won’t find a more effective bug zapper, and it’s really good at its job.
Pros
Indoor & outdoor
Great value
Easy to clean (collection tray)
Plug-in
High voltage
Cons
- Plastic
7. Ellassay USB Mosquito Zapper
If you want a crafty little gadget to help keep small areas free from mosquitos, then this USB mosquito zapper is actually pretty cool.
It’s not very powerful, and it has a limited range, but it’s effective in small spaces like offices, or next to the bed for added protection against mosquitos.
I wouldn’t want to rely on this by itself, but for a reasonably cheap option to add to an existing arsenal of mosquito defences this is a pretty good piece of kit.
Pros
Ok value
Effective
Cons
Indoor only
USB powered (limited use in most homes)
No collection tray
7 Best Mosquito Trap Reviews
Mosquito traps are similar to the old fashioned flypaper traps which attracted insects with scent and glued them down to insecticide glues.
Some modern mosquito traps use the same basic method to kill the flies, but the sticky pads need replacing pretty frequently in summer so the best mosquito traps to buy are the ones without sticky pads that use UV and dehydration.
8. Katchy Indoor Mosquito Trap
Using a UV light and fan suction, the Katchy bug killer attracts insects with its light and its suction fans pull insects into a glued compartment at the base where they are trapped and killed in the glue.
The downside of this, and any glue models are that you need to regularly check the glue pads and replace them. Most glue-based flycatchers are supplied with replaceable sticky pads, but you will quickly run out!
Pros
Ok value
Effective
UV light to attract flies
Cons
Indoor only
Needs replaceable sticky pads
9. DynaTrap ¼ Acre Outdoor Mosquito Trap
DynaTrap makes seriously good fly traps, it’s a simple fact, and they’ve moved away from traditional mosquito zappers into the trap models which are cheaper to run and less likely to catch larger insects like moths and butterflies.
This is DynaTrap’s basic ¼ acre model, which covers a reasonably sized yard, and works by dehydrating the insects that are sucked in with a continuous fan.
Effective
Indoor & outdoor use
Kills through dehydration
¼ acre coverage
UV light to attract flies
Cons
- Expensive
10. DynaTrap XL Mosquito Trap
DynaTrap’s high-end insect trap works by dehydrating insects caught in its suction fans. They’re quickly and effectively attracted by the bright UV light and sucked down into the trap, where they’re dehydrated and contained in an easy to clean bug bin for quick disposal without any need to clean it.
It’s definitely more expensive than other bug traps, but it’s more effective and safer for big bugs that can accidentally get trapped in zappers, or by pesticide spray.
Pros
Effective
Indoor & outdoor use
Kills through dehydration
1-acre coverage
UV light to attract flies
Cons
- Expensive
11. DynaTrap ½ Acre Insect and Mosquito Trap
Mosquito traps aren’t well known for their beauty, serving a pretty obvious function, and looking just as industrial as they sound, but this lantern style mosquito trap from DynaTrap is a great ornamental bug trap that works with UV light and suction fan.
There’s no need to replace sticky pads either, just twist off the bug catcher and dispose of dead insects, or even feed them to the birds on the bird table. They’re dehydrated and haven’t seen any pesticides so are safe for wildlife to eat.
Pros
Effective
Indoor & outdoor use
Kills through dehydration
½ acre coverage
UV light to attract flies
Cons
- Expensive
12. FENUN Indoor Mosquito Catcher
The indoor mosquito catcher is a great option for the bedroom, with a quiet fan and a gentle UV light, which won’t work outdoors, but for indoor nighttime use is a useful way to keep insects and mosquitos away from the bed.
Simply plug it in, go to sleep and wait until morning to see the results.
These are really effective insect catchers, but all catchers of this style need replaceable sticky pads to catch mosquitoes, so be aware you’ll need to make repeat purchases along with these products.
Pros
Ok value
Effective
UV light to attract flies
Cons
Indoor only
Needs replaceable sticky pads
13. Biogents Non-Electrical Outdoor Mosquito Trap
Mosquitos breed for almost the entire year, laying eggs in water whenever they get a chance, so by providing managed water sources for them to lay eggs you can control their population simply by disposing of the water before their larvae become flies.
The Biogents mosquito trap uses this basic instinct of the mosquito to lure them into laying eggs in confined spaces where they then get caught, and their larvae can’t emerge from the water as they need to.
This isn’t going to completely eradicate mosquitoes in the garden, but it will go a long way to reducing the problem.
Pros
Effective
Natural mosquito trap
No electricity or power needed
Cons
Outdoor only
Expensive
14. Ckyuna Electric Mosquito Killer Trap
The Ckyuna is a great value alternative to other dehydrating mosquito traps and killers. For around a quarter of the price of comparable models, you get an effective mosquito killer that will keep any room in the house free from flies and mosquitoes.
The only downside is that it’s an indoor-only, USB powered, device, meaning it has limited use scenarios, but it would be great as bedside flycatchers, or even for the office.
Pros
Great value
Effective
UV light to attract flies
Cons
Indoor only
USB Powered (limited use)
3 Best Mosquito Repellent Reviews
Mosquito repellents are always best applied directly to skin. You can buy natural mosquito repellents like citronella plants, or candles, which help reduce mosquitoes in the area, but will never completely eradicate them, so using citronella sprays, and DEET creams are really the only effective ways to stop yourself from being bitten.
Our reviews below include basic mosquito repellents and well as mosquito repellents for sensitive skin and a great mosquito repellent without any chemicals or inorganic ingredients.
15. Cutter Mosquito Repellent Pump Spray
Cutter Skinsations is one of the best-selling mosquito repellents in the US, with rave reviews online, and a proven track record of effective protection against mosquito bites.
The added aloe vera helps support the skin from repeat use, and irritating ingredients, but the DEET ensures effective defence against mosquitos even in the deepest woods.
Pros
Kind to skin
Effective
Includes DEET
Cons
- Not safe for pets
16. OFF! Deep Woods Bug Spray & Mosquito Repellent
OFF! Is a really popular brand, offering effective mosquito protection on a budget, but it’s only for use on adults as it can be pretty aggressive to kids’ skin, and should never be used around pets.
If you’ve got resilient skin though this is one of the most effective mosquito repellent sprays you can buy.
Pros
Kind to skin
Effective
Includes DEET
Cons
- Not safe for pets
17. Mosquito Guard Natural Mosquito Repellent Spray
Mosquito guard isn’t as chemically effective against mosquitos but its powerful blend of essential oils, including citronella, lemongrass, geraniol and peppermint ensure that no mosquito in their right mind would go anywhere near you.
The organic ingredients in these natural mosquito repellents are great for anyone with sensitive skin and can be used time and time again and won’t harm you, your kids or your pets.
Pros
Kind to skin
Effective
Safe for pets and children
Cons
- Doesn’t include DEET
Mosquito Killer FAQs
Do mosquito killers work?
Bug zappers have been proven to be effective against mosquitos over the years, but they do not control their population. The best way to control mosquito populations is by using organic traps like mosquito water traps, or dehydration traps. But bug zappers are the most effective immediate way to rid your patio of mosquitoes.
What are the best mosquito repellent plants?
Citronella and peppermint are excellent mosquito repellents. By planting either around your patio you are creating an environment that mosquitos won’t enter if they have a better option.
There is nothing about either plant that is actively damaging to insects or mosquitos though, so these are deterrents rather than killers.
What are mosquitoes attracted to?
Mosquitoes are attracted to floral and sweet smells, so during mosquito season, try to avoid using floral soaps, deodorants, or sweet scents. Try using citrus or menthol soaps in summer to avoid being bitten by mosquitos.
Get the Best Mosquito Killer Today
Mosquitos are probably the most problematic fly in the garden, actively spreading viruses and parasites between species and between humans, so taking precautions against them should be done in a measured and sensible way, but ensuring that whatever you decide to do is effective.
The reviews above are all tried and tested methods for tackling mosquito problems in the home and garden, so before you decide to try new tech or ultrasonic waves, think again and go back to the old ways.
Traditional repellents and traps are still, by far, the best mosquito killers you can buy.
