Mosquito Killers Compared: A Review of the 14 Best Killers | Effectiveness of Mosquito Killers

Mosquitoes are perhaps the most annoying pests imaginable: they intrude on our private space in the house and spoil our leisure time outdoors. But no matter how familiar the issue is, there is no easy solution. Now, let’s have a look at what kind of mosquito killers are the most effective and recommended by scientists for use. Below, you will find a step-by-step mosquito-killing plan and a comparison table of mosquito killers' effectiveness, as well as a review of the TOP 14 mosquito killers you can buy online.

The National Pesticide Information Center has divided them into two categories: larvicides applied directly to water and targeting mosquitoes at a larvae stage and adulticides used against adult mosquitoes by irrigating plants and objects.

• 4-STEP Mosquito Killing Plan
• What Mosquito Killers Are There?
• Comparison of Effectiveness of Mosquito Killers
• TOP 14 Mosquito Killers
• TOP 14 Mosquito Killers: Comparative Chart

4-STEP Mosquito Killing Plan

Now, are you ready to completely eradicate mosquitoes? If yes, then you should follow the guidelines below.

Step#1 Kill larvae in their breeding sites

As scientists from the University of Arkansas note, “the largest portion of community mosquito control budgets is devoted to ”. Larvae can be detected more efficiently since they are concentrated in one site, and larvae can be more easily eradicated since they are vulnerable. Nor can they fly away, so what you need to do is just take advantage of their exposure to various pest control measures.

At the same time, breeding sites heavily contribute to the problem as even one ounce of standing water can support a population of larvae. According to scientists, almost any backyard has at least one breeding site. Therefore, inspect your backyard, looking for any object with standing water. Consider that larvae prefer shallow water not exceeding 24 inches in depth. Use fine dip nets to monitor the presence of larvae in the water feature.

• Treat the breeding site with the bacterium B.t.i. (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) killing larvae within a few days. Drop a required number of pellets in water, and that’s it! Or apply insect growth regulators, which have a broader spectrum of effects, targeting juvenile mosquitoes as well. Drop IGR granules in the water with this insecticide to break the life cycle of the mosquitoes.
• Use organophosphates and surface oils if the infestation is heavy, but remember that these solutions are more toxic. After that, release mosquito fish or dragonflies, which are natural predators. They will not eradicate the entire population of mosquitoes but will keep it low in the future. Therefore, this is an excellent natural solution for long-term mosquito control and as a preventive measure.

Do not confine larva management just to water features. Treat plants, basements, and other objects with high humidity. For this purpose, you should better opt for liquids or dust so that the larvicide can penetrate all cracks and coat all parts of the plant.

Step #2 Discover sites where adult mosquitoes rest in the daytime

This is their harborage area, and lots of these pests can usually be found. In addition, since mosquitoes mostly rest instead of flying in such areas, they have become easy targets. For these two reasons, you can kill more mosquitoes and eradicate their population for an extended period — up to several weeks.

What sites should you look for? These are dense brushy vegetation, shrubbery, tall grass, and underbrush. Focus on shady areas around the house where there is no or little sunlight. Apply long-lasting, residual insecticides there, including bifenthrin, permethrin, and cypermethrin. The most appropriate way of application is irrigation.

Step #3 Do area treatment

Now that you have destroyed future generations of mosquitoes and attacked their breeding and resting sites, some of these pests may have still survived and can be found around the house and inside it. To this end, an area-wide treatment should be implemented.

Choose pyrethroids that have a short-term effect and are less powerful, like resmethrin and natural pyrethrins. As you will indiscriminately apply backyard mosquito killers all around, there is a risk of harming plants and beneficial insects. That is why insecticides should not be as powerful as those used in the second stage of the mosquito control strategy. More importantly, do not use too many insecticides during the area-wide treatment. A good option for this purpose is fogging device.

So, when should you do it? A good time for that is the period of their peak activity, that is in the evening. And that is when electronic mosquito killers will come in handy! This will be a tremendous supplementary measure to chemical treatment. Their bright LED lights and baits will attract mosquitoes, while the electronic grid will kill them with an electric shock. Other types of mosquito-killing machines will do the job as well. Units releasing carbon dioxide, which mimics human breath, will steer mosquitoes to a false target where they will be dehydrated and die.

Step #4 Kill mosquitoes indoors

Even a handful of mosquitoes can cause inconvenience, and disturb rest and sleep, especially for small children. Then, what should be done? Install electronic mosquito killer bulbs that lure these pests inside and kill them with an electric shock. The preferable location is near the bed or baby crib so that out of two targets, a mosquito could choose the most attractive. You can be more proactive and use an electronic swatter to kill the insect on contact.

Another unit, an H2O mosquito killer, will come in handy as it is fitted with a reliable attractant but, at the same time, is safe and natural. If you still rely on insecticides, apply pyrethrin aerosols labeled for indoor use.

What Mosquito Killers Are There?

We have divided mosquito killers into four groups.

1. The first one includes larvicides targeting mosquitoes at the larval stage. That is when mosquito control is the most effective. At the same time, there are certain restrictions since larvae develop in standing water which should not be contaminated with dangerous chemicals. For this reason, harmless bacteria and insect growth regulators are in demand.
2. When it comes to adult mosquitoes, more powerful solutions are needed. These are pesticides that have either short-term or long-term effects. The former is applied during the area-wide treatment, while the latter should be used on dense vegetation in shady areas where mosquitoes rest in the middle of the day. And yet, you should not rely on liquids and granules only.
3. The third group includes electronic mosquito killers designed to lure the pests into electric grids to have them electrocuted there. This option is particularly recommended for use indoors, where the number of insects typically is low.
4. The fourth group comprises mosquito killing machines, such as CO2, propane, and water traps which exploit mosquito biology's peculiarities to lure, capture, and dehydrate them. In this case, the main attractants are carbon dioxide mimicking human scent and water — a breeding site attracting female mosquitoes, biting insects, unlike males.

Mosquito Killers to Eliminate Larvae

Any military planner knows it is better to defeat the enemy on the doorstep than to allow it to conduct warfare on your territory. This is also true for mosquito control since by eradicating these pests outdoors, you will not have to care about mosquito problems at home.

Your first target is larvae, which are easy to detect as they mainly thrive in standing waters like ponds, fountains, and all kinds of water bodies and containers. So, if there is no possibility to eliminate the standing water near your house and eradicate a mosquito breeding site, kill the larvae there. Treat these sites with larvicides, and no mature mosquito will fly out of the water because all of them will be killed at a larvae stage.

Many practical solutions are available for professional pest control operators only. However, some larvicides can be found in retail outlets. Researchers from The University of Georgia suggest applying products containing the biological control agent Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis, which is safe, effective, and commercially available.

Nematodes, other insects, and fish can also do the job, but they can be used to keep the number of larvae low.

For their complete elimination, you should better consider chemicals. There are several types of larvicides:

• Insect growth regulators. In the middle of the 20th century, several chemicals mimicking the juvenile hormone activity of mosquitoes were discovered. They interfere with the normal process of growth and maturation of mosquitoes and break the biological life cycle. Scientists from the University of Florida single out products containing methoprene, a biopesticide that is not toxic to humans even though ingested and can be applied to drinking water. Methoprene is available in granules and liquids. Although growth regulators do not kill larvae directly, they prevent further infestation as the larvae will never grow into adult insect. Another compound simulating natural hormones in mosquitoes to disrupt their growth is pyriproxyfen. It contains in many products designed for application inside the house or in the garden. It comes in granules, pellets, and liquids.
• Microbial larvicides. These bacteria deliver a natural toxin to larvae. The most popular ones are Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) which we have already mentioned above. The bulk of microbial pesticides approved by the EPA contains these bacteria as active ingredients. According to scientists, Bacillus thuringiensis is effective on most mosquito species in very diverse habitats. It is also noteworthy that the World Health Organization endorses the development of naturally occurring microbes in pest control as an efficient and safe solution. As Andrew Sutherland, advisor in UC Statewide IPM Program, notes, Bacillus thuringiensis affects only larvae of flying insects. Therefore, it will not harm predatory insects in the water, which is beneficial.

Another type, Bacillus sphaericus, is a spore-forming bacterium toxic to many species of mosquito larvae. To produce an effect, they should be ingested and act approximately the same way as Bacillus thuringiensis, except for having an additional advantage of a residual effect. Its toxins are related to slow-acting killers, unlike Bacillus thuringiensis, but it is more persistent. As soon as a larva ingests Bacillus sphaericus, the bacterium is partially digested, and pro-toxins are released. The latter attaches to the gut wall, slowly disrupting it. Various studies show that it takes from several hours to three days for the larvae to die after the bacteria is ingested. Both bacteria are available in granules, pellets, and liquids.

• Biological control. Researchers from the University of Arkansas advise releasing Gambusia fish or similar species into the water body or container infested with mosquitoes. “Mosquito fish are excellent predators and, where established, can quickly bring mosquitoes under control,” the article reads.
• Organophosphates are pesticides based on phosphorus which have been used in mosquito control since the middle of the 20th century. This mosquito killer alters the functions of some larva’s nerve cells, resulting in a loss of coordination and death. One of such compounds, temephos, was tested in the past for malaria control and was registered for use against mosquitoes. It is effective even when applied to marshes. Temephos is low toxic and is safe for humans when used correctly.
• Surface oils and films. These solutions are based on waste motor oil and, in the past, were believed to be the most potent larvicides. The major drawback is the damage they cause to the environment and the risks they pose to human health. Later, modern products such as Arosurf were developed. Active ingredients include a thin layer of the surface film based on alcohol and refined petroleum oils. They almost have no smell and color but, at the same time, are not inferior to the waste oils as mosquito killers.

Apart from that, various scientific studies show the effectiveness of ultrasound as an electronic mosquito killer targeting larvae. So, researchers from Columbia State University have found during preliminary trials that 94% of mosquito larvae are eradicated after 60 seconds of ultrasound. It is noteworthy that no expensive device is required since a transducer used in the study costs just $40. Such mosquito killers can be installed in water storage tanks or made portable. However, there are no commercially available versions yet, while scientific researches are on the way, and they have proved to be successful.

Adult Mosquito Killers: Pesticides

Researchers from Colorado State University claim that targeting adult mosquitoes only is insufficient for successful pest control and should be viewed as a supplementary measure to managing larvae. So, what backyard mosquito killers are recommended?

• For outdoor use, choose mosquito killers based on pyrethroids. There are two significant approaches to suppressing mosquito populations. The first one involves irrigating large areas so that the number of killed insects is directly proportional to the amount of pesticide irrigated in the yard. The more you irrigate, the more you kill. The most appropriate time for this approach is peak periods of insect flight and nightfall.
• Short-term pyrethroids, such as resmethrin and natural pyrethrins are suggested for this purpose. Permethrin which also belongs to pyrethroids but has a more prolonged residual effect, can also be applied. Short-term solutions have two main drawbacks. First, by killing adult mosquitoes in such a way, you will get relief for a couple of days since new mosquitoes from untreated areas will arrive soon. Secondly, you will likely harm beneficial insects needed for the health of your garden and as natural enemies of mosquitoes.
• The second approach involves using residual insecticides, such as bifenthrin, permethrin, and cypermethrin. They have a more prolonged effect lasting for a week and more. These insecticides are intended to be applied to areas where mosquitoes rest in the daytime. Focus on shrubbery, tall grass, and underbrush, typical harborage sites for mosquitoes.

• Propane mosquito killer is a portable device intended for outdoor use only. Propane is used as the primary source of fuel, which is powerful enough to produce a significant amount of fog. It delivers insecticide from the container at the bottom. A good solution is a handheld fogger containing pyrethroids. However, it produces a temporary effect. It can be applied to the backyard and foliage. “Such treatments have the advantage of temporarily suppressing biting activity with a little long-lasting effect on beneficial insects like butterflies and honeybees,” scientists from the University of Arkansas said.
• Sprays and aerosols. These solutions can be used both in the house and in the yard. Pyrethrin aerosols are recommended as good indoor mosquito killers.

Electronic Mosquito Killers

Electronic devices operate with the aid of components, like microchips and transistors, that direct an electric current. This is a modern and promising approach that does not require using chemicals or maintenance. Once installed, it keeps on operating as long as there is an electricity supply.

Such electronic mosquito killers first lure the pests inside and then eliminate them. While practically all units do a pretty good job killing the captured mosquitoes, the issue of whether they can effectively attract mosquitoes is still open. It is the electric grid that kills the insects and the ultraviolet or infrared lamp that lures them inside.

Donald Lewis from Iowa State University claims that such electronic mosquito killers are worthless because most of the captured and eliminated insects are beneficial or just harmless. In contrast, the share of trapped female mosquitoes, which are biting insects, is meager.

Although various studies have proved this statement, we should keep in mind that much depends on the environment where the unit is operating. Having a large number of insects around, you will likely have them caught by the mosquito killer. For this reason, indoor mosquito killers are considered more effective than those designed for outdoor use. So, what is the difference between these two types?

• First, the outdoor electronic mosquito killer should be waterproof. Otherwise, it may break after rain.
• Secondly, outdoor electronic mosquito killers can be used with chemical baits to reinforce the effect of the mosquito killer bulb attracting mosquitoes. When mounted indoors, no chemicals should be put in the unit, especially in bedrooms.

What determines the effectiveness of an electronic mosquito killer bulb?

Researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln say that devices fitted with LED bulbs capture significantly more mosquitoes. Why? The brighter the bulb is, the more attractive it is to mosquitoes, while LED bulbs are brighter than ordinary incandescent ones. Moreover, LED bulbs consume less energy and are more cost-efficient.

When choosing LED bulbs, pay attention to the number of lumens it produces because it is an actual indicator of the lamp’s brightness. So, 1,100 lumens are equal to the amount of light generated by a 75W incandescent bulb while consuming just 10-12W.

There are several ways you may enhance the effectiveness of your electronic mosquito killer:

• Place the unit on top of a sheet of paper coated with some sticky paste.
• Attach a pheromone attractant.
• Mount them in the right place. Hang the unit low to the ground and away from you and other people because more mosquitoes and other insects will be attracted to that site.
• Switch it on at nighttime.

Types of Mosquito Killers: H2O, CO2, and Propane 

Several units attract mosquitoes in various ways to capture and eliminate them.

• The CO2 mosquito killer exploits carbon dioxide, mimicking people's scents and breathing. Mosquitoes can detect carbon dioxide from a long distance, perceiving it as evidence of human presence. Overwhelmed with the desire to suck human blood, these pests will fly directly into the trap. Scientists from the American Mosquito Control Association note that studies confirm that CO2 mosquito killers catch their target pests. “However, the key question is whether this results in a measurable reduction in the number of mosquitoes that land and bite humans in the area that is supposed to be protected,” the researchers stressed. According to them, one of the main drawbacks is that such mosquito killers break down quite often. At the same time, this is one of the most inexpensive options, which is a clear advantage.
• Propane traps also mimic human scent and breathing, releasing CO2 and moisture. They transform propane gas into carbon dioxide to lure mosquitoes in, and then the pest is sucked by a vacuum into a special catch tray. Once inside these containers, the insects dehydrate to death. However, these units require propane tanks and are intended for outdoor use only. These are expensive but, at the same time, compelling solutions.
• H2O mosquito killers are the safest and the most natural option since their key attractant is water. A unique water tray resembles a natural environment where mosquitoes breed. Once the pests get there, they are sucked by the fan and dried to death. Products of this type are usually cheap and can be placed inside and outside the house. Also, no additional accessories are needed, nor does it require special maintenance.

Effectiveness of Mosquito Killers | Comparison

TOP 14 Mosquito Killers Compared

Below you will find a review of the TOP 14 mosquito killers. We have started with the least expensive products and measures that should be taken first. At the end of the review, there are options for those willing to get a grip and sort the problem out once and forever.

• Treat water with bacteria available in granules and bits, which are natural and safe for humans and pets.
• Electronic mosquito killers are recommended by scientists as a supplementary measure. They are available in various forms, such as indoor and outdoor units and portable and large-sized ones. These devices attract mosquitoes by the light and electrocute them to death. Another option is a mosquito killer that lures the insects by releasing СО2.
• Products containing lambda-cyhalothrin and other pesticides are intended for killing mosquitoes on lawns and in backyards irrigated by such substances.
• For area-wide treatment, choose a propane insect fogger. A particular insecticide is required for this device. A backpack tank is suggested for treating house basements and other structures, while a propane mosquito-killing machine releasing СО2 is a robust measure of outdoor mosquito control.

Best Mosquito Killers For Ponds

The first thing you should do is eradicate mosquito larvae thriving in ponds and other features where water is not circulating. Granules and bits are the most appropriate as they will ensure a much-lasting effect. In particular, the effect of Summit Mosquito Dunks lasts up to a month, covering about a hundred square feet of surface area.

Another product in the form-factor of Bits, with the active ingredient Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), produces an immediate result, eliminating larvae within a day. Having combined these short-term and long-term solutions, you will surely do away with a new generation of mosquitoes. Both products are natural, organic, and safe for humans and the environment. Moreover, they will not harm a pet, even if it ingests a dunk, since the item is nothing short of a dried bacteria.

As a buyer has noted, a single dunk is enough for a barrel equal to 20 gallons to do the job. “I use these ‘dunks’ in my rain barrels, fountains, and bird baths (this also comes in a shake container), they work! Highly recommend for any outdoor application where you want to kill mosquito larvae,” a customer wrote about the dunks. As for the mosquito bits, sprinkling one teaspoon will be effective for 25 square feet of standing water. “I sprinkled some in the pond and started noticing within a few days that mosquitoes couldn’t pick up and carry off the dog anymore… after a week, they are almost gone,” a user said about the mosquito bits.

Summit 20-Pack Mosquito Dunk. Price: Check the current price

5 Mosquito Zappers – Electronic Mosquito Killers

Electronic mosquito killers are an effective supplementary measure for your pest control strategy. They lure the insects using bright LED bulbs and capture and kill them by the electric shock. Flowtron BK-15D Electronic Insect Killer covers a large area, about half an acre.

Its bulb consumes just 15W but is as bright as a 100W incandescent lamp, enough to attract mosquitoes. To improve the effectiveness, you may add Octenol attractant. This electronic mosquito killer is waterproof, therefore, feel free to use it in the garden or any other open space without worrying about getting rusty.

Nevertheless, the unit can be used outdoors only and 25 feet away from the area of human activity. Nor can you mount it on the house walls or any other surfaces of buildings. A buyer who has been using this unit for three years wrote: “I live next to a swamp, so needless to say, I have no hope of winning the war on mosquitoes, but this combined with my bat houses, sure takes a dent out of the population”.

Another large-sized unit is Aspectek 20W Mosquito Killer. It is also powerful but designed for indoor use, covering an area of 6,000 square feet. It can be either hung or placed on a solid surface but should not be located in uncovered spaces. This indoor mosquito killer attracts mosquitoes by two bright ultraviolet bulbs equal to a 75W incandescent bulb and kills the captured insect by emitting 2,800 voltage. 

ZappLight is a much cheaper and compact option. It is a safe 3-mode unit that can be exploited just as a lamp or as a mosquito killer. Its key difference and advantage over similar devices is an adapter included. You may exploit ZappLight 24/7, whether in the house, office, shop, or on a patio, terrace, porch, garage, and any other rainproof place or a trip.

3000-Volt Fly Killer Racket is an excellent idea for combining traditional and modern approaches to pest control. Hit a mosquito with the racket and kill it with the 3,000-volt electric grid. Turn your fight against mosquitoes into sheer entertainment! The swatter is safe upon contact because it has a three-layer surface with the one in the center designed to electrocute the mosquito. The racket will do the job itself when you do not incline physical exercise. Just activate the built-in LED light, and mosquitoes will fly towards the deadly grid, where they are doomed to die immediately. Customers appreciate the idea, giving it 4.4 out of 5 stars in reviews. However, one of them noted that the racket was not big enough.

СО2 Mosquito Killer

This mosquito-killing machine lures the pests by its ultraviolet bulb and CO2 produced on the titanium dioxide-coated surface. Once a mosquito is inside, it is sucked by a vacuum fan into a particular container. The mosquito killer does not emit odors, nor will it disturb you with buzzing sounds. It covers up to 300 square feet without any additional lure or bait.

However, the product has certain limitations: it can be placed either indoors or in covered spaces outdoors. Its main drawback is that the bulb is not replaceable, lasting for about 20,000 hours. This may cause some troubles, for example, if the bulb is broken, you will have to buy a new product or just do with a single attractant — CO2.

“While it doesn’t capture every mosquito, there are always some in the trap whenever I empty it, and we have noticed a dramatic reduction of mosquitoes in the house,” a buyer noted.

Price: Check the current price

Mosquito Fogger For Lawns And Yard

With the help of Burgess 1443 Propane Insect Fogger, you will quickly treat a large area of the lawn or your backyard, killing flying and resting mosquitoes with insecticides. One of the suitable solutions is a 64-ounce Flying Insect Killer.

The active ingredients are the following: 3-phenoxybenzyl, cyclopropane carboxylate, and piperonyl butoxide. Do not use the solution inside the house, only in the backyard, lawn, and other open spaces. Some customers have noted that the liquid is too toxic. The insecticide is ready-to-use, what you need is to pour it into the propane mosquito killer, and that’s it!

Burgess Propane Insect Fogger. Price: Check the current price

Backyard Mosquito Killers – Sprayers

You will hardly manage to eradicate mosquitoes without using pesticides. A 32-ounce Backyard Mosquito Killer with the active ingredient lambda-cyhalothrin covers up to 5,000 square feet of the lawn. It is straightforward to use, just connect to a hose and start irrigating vegetation where mosquitoes rest.

The effect will last about a month, which means this is a long-term solution. This backyard mosquito killer produces an immediate effect, quickly eliminating the insects. This Backyard Outdoor Fogger with active ingredients tetramethrin and phenothrin kills mosquitoes on contact and covers an area of 1,200 cubic feet. It is applied differently — as a ready-to-use solution.

Be sure you handle the stuff properly since it is highly toxic to fish and beneficial insects, as well as can cause skin irritation to humans. All these pesticides must be registered by EPA to avoid risks that chemicals can potentially pose to children, pregnant women, pets, and the environment. However, even products approved by EPA must be used according to label directions. Otherwise, they may adversely affect the health of you and your household.

I live in a swamp in the countryside, with irrigated fields all around me, standing water in the rows, and runoff in the ditches. The mosquito population is rapid, unless I treat the yard with two bottles of this stuff, once a month,” a customer has shared his experience using Backyard Mosquito Killer. And yet, a specific chemical smell will remain after the application, she noted.

Cutter Backyard Outdoor Fogger. Price: Check the current price

Sprayer for treating basements

Not only vegetation and water should be treated but basements as well. Do it with a four-gallon backpack mosquito killer, which has an efficient 60 PSI pump with an adjustable output dial. The 12 lbs tank has a steel wand and brass nozzle, ensuring its durability and reliability. Some parts of the unit can be replaced if broken or damaged so that you will not have to spend money on purchasing a new one. As customers point out, the tank can be filled with any powerful insecticide, including Talstar, as long as it is liquid.

Scientists from Wisconsin University claim that sprayers are preferable for treating basements and other structures with high humidity than foggers. The latter is recommended mainly for large areas with vegetation where larvae can thrive. Also, keep in mind that foggers target only adult mosquitoes, whereas the first step should be the eradication of larvae.

“Worked very well with over 20 feet spray distance,” one buyer said. “Powerful pump to reach tall trees. The only negative is the “plastic” to secure the backpack harness. My experience is this will break rather quickly,” another customer noted.

Price: Check the current price

Propane Mosquito Killer

This mosquito-killing machine attracts the target pests by releasing CO2 transformed from propane. Carbon dioxide disorients mosquitoes which perceive it as a sign of human presence in the area and fly towards the attractant. Such a powerful unit can target insects as far as one acre away. Once the insect is lured, it is vacuumed and captured with sticky paper. It has two parts: one is the plastic tray for catching mosquitoes, and another is the sticky paper going around the tank.

Although the unit seems to be quite massive, it is easy to use and can be assembled without any special knowledge. In addition, the mosquito-killing machine does not require cords or any other tools. In the assembled condition, it is 33 inches or less than one meter in height. Customers point out an advantage that the unit does not require any protection from the rain. It may be exposed to unfavorable weather conditions and keep on operating without failure. “This is our second SkeeterVac, and we are delighted to be able to use the outdoors again. This model has an additional feature that allows for bleeding the gas line, which is such a great improvement,” a buyer noted.

Price: Check the current price