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Best Insect Traps

Updated May 2023
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Dynatrap Flying Insect 1 Acre Trap
Dynatrap
Flying Insect 1 Acre Trap
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Best for Large Spaces
Bottom Line

With impressive one-acre coverage, this insect trap by DynaTrap is great for outdoor spaces.

Pros

A sturdy trap that combines UV light and a quiet fan to attract insects up to one acre. Has a large insect-catching compartment that doesn't require frequent emptying under most conditions. Does not use any harmful pesticides or chemicals.

Cons

It occasionally catches critters that are beneficial, such as ladybugs, honeybees, and even lizards.

Best Bang for the Buck
Raid Double Control Large Roach Baits
Raid
Double Control Large Roach Baits
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For Specific Bugs
Bottom Line

These disposable traps work for up to three months and can target the nest, too.

Pros

Two types of bait are used, one is eaten by adult roaches while the other sticks to the feeding roaches and gets brought back to the nest to kill the rest of them. Population reduction can be noticeable within days.

Cons

Disposing of the trap can be unpleasant, especially if successful on a major infestation.

KATCHY Electric Insect Trap
KATCHY
Electric Insect Trap
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Most Eco-Friendly
Bottom Line

An effective insect trap that is ideal for small to medium areas and is energy-efficient.

Pros

Combines a UV light, fan, and glue board to lure and trap insects. USB power port allows you to run it efficiently off any compatible device or power pack. Earns praise for its effectiveness for infestations of small insects, such as fruit flies.

Cons

Replacement glue boards can get costly. Somewhat noisy to operate.

DynaTrap Indoor Mosquito Flylight Insect Trap
DynaTrap
Indoor Mosquito Flylight Insect Trap
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Best for Small Spaces
Bottom Line

This compact insect trap plugs directly into an outlet and doubles as a nightlight.

Pros

Flylight attracts bugs and traps them on a non-toxic glue card. Glue traps are easy and clean to remove and replace. Lasts up to 60 days. Can accommodate up to 600 square feet of space. Does not use any chemicals or pesticides.

Cons

May be difficult to find a replacement bulb if the included one burns out.

DJRoll Bug Zapper for Outdoor and Indoor
DJRoll
Bug Zapper for Outdoor and Indoor
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Feature-Packed
Bottom Line

This insect trap has a lot of extra features and is highly effective for flying bugs.

Pros

For indoor and outdoor use, this product uses a combination of a blu-ray light and a bug zapper. It is nonflammable and waterproof. It can protect you from insects within a 2,100-square-foot range and is reasonably priced.

Cons

Some buyers say that the cord is not as long as they’d like.

HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
Models
Considered
188
Consumers
Consulted
8
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best insect traps

Nothing spoils a barbecue or quiet evening in the backyard as fast as a bunch of pesky bugs. You could be having the perfect night with family or friends when, all of a sudden, a barrage of mosquitos or gnats invades your space and ruins everything.

For this reason, it’s very smart to keep an insect trap on hand. If you want to keep bug bites to a minimum, you need to know which features are critical for your situation. Would an indoor or outdoor model work best? What range should the trap have?

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Some bugs may fly around in the morning, while others are more likely to come out at night. And some insects buzz around throughout the entire day. Activate your insect trap during the times when bug activity is the greatest to keep the population in check.

Types of insect traps

Different types of insects are drawn to different lures. Some insect traps utilize multiple lures to draw as many bugs as possible. That said, there are three main types of insect traps on the market today: light traps, vacuum traps, and carbon dioxide traps.

Light traps

As the name implies, a light trap attracts bugs with light. The bugs get caught inside a chamber where they dehydrate and eventually die. A light trap may include a mercury-vapor lamp, a fluorescent lamp, a light-emitting diode, or black light.

Notably, light only attracts certain types of insects. For example, lighted insect traps are ideal for attracting moths. Some UV light traps work well for fruit flies. But they don’t work on all bugs, so you may wish to consider a light trap that has another type of lure as well.

"Some insect traps include a tray in which you can add your own attractant, such as fruit juice or alcohol. If your insect trap features a tray for adding extra attractant, sugary liquids like soda or fermented liquids like wine or vinegar are good options for attracting a variety of bugs."
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Vacuum traps

Because not all bugs are attracted to light, you may find a vacuum trap to be more effective at drawing in bugs. Using a vacuum fan, a vacuum trap sucks insects into an internal chamber where they dehydrate and die. Vacuum fan traps don’t discriminate; they suck up anything that flies close enough. Therefore, a vacuum trap is a good choice if you’re dealing with a large range of flying bugs.

Carbon dioxide traps

Some insects are attracted to carbon dioxide. A carbon dioxide trap emits gas from small internal canisters in order to draw bugs inside. Because they can’t escape, the insects eventually dehydrate and die. Carbon dioxide traps don’t attract all flying insects, but they do work for many biting insects, including black flies and mosquitos.

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Did you know?
Some insect traps are designed to look like decorative lights, so they don’t detract from the décor in your home or yard.
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Indoor vs. outdoor insect traps

Most insect traps can be used either inside or outside. That said, most homeowners prefer to place their traps outdoors.

However, there are some insect traps that are meant strictly for indoor use. Indoor insect traps aren’t weatherproof or waterproof. Exposure to outside elements could damage an insect trap designed solely for indoor use.

Some traps include a hook for hanging; these work well outside. Other traps include a stand that allows you to place it on any flat surface. For indoor use, a bug trap with a stand is usually the best option.

Unlike bug zappers, which electrocute insects, an insect trap doesn’t create airborne particles that might contaminate your home. Instead, insects are simply caught inside where they eventually die. You can then empty the trap and clean it out.

Insect trap power

An insect trap with a light or vacuum fan requires a power source to operate. Some are battery-operated, while others must be plugged into an outlet.

  • Battery-operated insect traps tend to have dimmer lights and weaker fans. However, you can place a battery-operated insect trap anywhere without worrying whether there is an outlet nearby.

  • Plug-in insect traps tend to have brighter lights and stronger fans. However, you are somewhat restricted in the placement of a plug-in insect trap.

  • Some insects traps have a USB port. You can power these traps using a cable and a device such as a computer or tablet.

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Insect trap range

An insect trap “range” is the distance around which it effectively eradicates bugs.

While you want an insect trap with a large enough range to address all of your nuisance insects, you shouldn’t choose a model with a range that’s too large. Otherwise, you could end up attracting more bugs to the area than you originally had.

  • For the best results, the average homeowner will probably want to choose a insect trap with a range of 500 to 800 square feet.

  • For an even larger space, you can upgrade to an insect trap with a range of approximately 1,000 square feet.

Cleaning your insect trap

Because dead insects are stored inside an insect trap, you’ll need to empty it periodically.

Some traps have a storage compartment that twists off the device. To get rid of dead bugs, you remove the compartment, empty it, and then replace it.

Other traps have a tray that simply slides out for cleaning. If you want as little hassle as possible, consider an insect trap with a slide-out tray, as these are usually the easiest to empty and clean.

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For your safety
In addition to using an insect trap, it helps to address the source of your insect problem. For example, mosquitoes are often drawn to standing water, so if you have puddles on your property, try to dry them out.
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Insect trap prices

Insect traps vary in price based on type, range, and other features, but you can typically expect to spend between $25 and $200 on one.

Inexpensive

For a basic insect trap with a shorter range and only one type of lure or attractant, you’ll usually pay between $25 and $50.

Mid-range

For an insect trap with a medium range and at least two types of lures or attractants, you’ll usually pay between $50 and $100.

Expensive

For an insect trap with a long range and three or more types of lures or attractants, you’ll usually pay between $100 and $200.

Tips

  • Empty your insect trap at least once a week. If your yard or home has a large number of insects, you may need to empty it twice a week.

  • To clean an insect trap storage tray or compartment, empty it of insects and rinse it with warm water. Allow the tray or compartment to air-dry completely before returning it to the trap.

  • Don’t place your insect trap in an area where people gather, such as on your deck or patio. You may inadvertently attract insects to the area, creating a greater nuisance. Instead, place the trap 30 to 40 feet away from any area where people will be congregating.

  • Place your insect trap in an open area where it’s easy for the insects to access it.

  • Some vacuum fan insect traps feature multiple suction levels, such as “strong” or “normal,” so you can customize operation.

  • Mosquitoes can spread a variety of diseases, including the Zika virus, malaria, yellow fever, and dengue fever. Controlling the population around your home with an insect trap can help keep your family safe.

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Because they don’t contain chemicals or pesticides, insect traps are an eco-friendly method of limiting the pest population around your home.

FAQ

Q. What’s the difference between an insect trap and a bug zapper?

A. A bug zapper typically features lights that attract insects to the device. When they fly up to the zapper, they land on an electrified grid that electrocutes them instantly. An insect trap merely lures the bugs inside the device, where they remain trapped until they die from dehydration.

While bug zappers can be effective at eliminating a portion of the insect population in or around your home, they make more noise and are messier than traps.

Q. Are insect traps safe to use around children and pets?

A. Insect traps usually don’t utilize any type of chemical pesticide that might pose a health risk to children or animals. If you choose a model with a vacuum fan, however, you should keep children and pets away from the device, as the blades could cause injury.

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