Tired of mosquitoes ruining your outdoor gatherings?
In this guide, we unveil the top mosquito traps, sprays and repellents that have proven effective in reclaiming outdoor spaces from these relentless pests.
Our product recommendations are backed by 20+ years of pest control experience.
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Best Overall
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Most Eco-Friendly
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Best Repellent
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Best Larvae Killer
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Best Trap
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Best Non-DEET Spray
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Best Repellent Candle
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Best Fogger
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Summary:
A water-based insecticide concentrate that provides long-term mosquito control.
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Summary:
A natural botanical insecticide that’s easy to mix and apply and ideal for killing mosquitoes quickly.
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Summary:
A strong, natural liquid barrier product that keeps mosquitos out of your yard or outdoor space.
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Summary:
A sustained-release larvicide that kills mosquito larvae in the water where they grow and mature.
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Summary:
A pet-safe mosquito trap that kills mosquitoes quickly and is ideal for outdoor use.
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Summary:
An effective mosquito-repellent spray for use on your outdoor items, like tents, patio cushions, and more.
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Summary:
A mosquito-repellent candle that’s perfect for outdoor use.
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Summary:
A battery-operated fogger that’s perfect for residential outdoor use.
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Primary Rating:
4.6
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Primary Rating:
4.6
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Primary Rating:
4.5
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Primary Rating:
4.6
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Primary Rating:
4.5
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Primary Rating:
4.5
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Primary Rating:
4.8
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Primary Rating:
4.8
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$39.05
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$55.63
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$75.95
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$19.69
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$49.99
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$14.00
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$23.83
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$54.99
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Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Syngenta Demand CS
- Most Eco-Friendly: Rockwell Labs EcoVia MT Mosquito & Tick Control
- Best Repellent: Mosquito Barrier Liquid
- Best Larvae Killer: Summit Mosquito Dunks
- Best Trap: Catchmaster Oasis
- Best Non-DEET Spray: Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent
- Best Repellent Candle: Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Candle
- Best Fogger: Ryobi One
Summary: A water-based insecticide concentrate that provides long-term mosquito control.
Type: Micro-encapsulated insecticide.
Key ingredient(s): lambda-Cyhalothrin 9.7%
Also good for: More than 30 pests, including ants, bedbugs, beetles, boxelder bugs, cockroaches, crickets, earwigs, and flies.
Syngenta Demand CS is our favorite option for residential mosquito control.
We love that this product is approved for indoor and outdoor pest control and offers a micro-encapsulated formula supercharged with an advanced-generation pyrethroid. This allows it to stick to pests’ bodies and provide long-term protection for your outdoor areas.
This product can be used as a structural perimeter spray to control mosquito populations. This product is pet-safe when dry (as long as you use it according to label directions).
Our Experience: We field-tested Syngenta Demand CS in our customers’ yards. We liked the bottle’s built-in measuring cup and that this formula has no odor and does not stain. We noticed that it continued to provide broad-spectrum pest control for weeks after application.
“We got a call for a property that was surrounded by stagnant water on two sides. This was a ideal mosquito breeding ground in the customer wanted some help getting the mosquito population reduced. In addition to treating the stagnant water with some biological tablets, we used Demand CS on all the shrubbery. This got a tremendous knockdown of mosquito adults because mosquito adults sleep during the day on the underside of leaves. With the IPM approach of treating both the source and the harborage, we had a wonderful outcome.” – Zachary Smith, “The Pest Dude”
How to Use
Syngenta Demand CS should be mixed and diluted with water and applied with a backpack fogger (wear PPE to protect yourself during the process). To use this product outdoors, mix 0.4 fluid ounces with a gallon of water. Apply the product as a structural perimeter spray to your landscape plantings, turf, and building foundation, making sure to apply it to all shrubbery in your yard. Let all treated surfaces dry thoroughly before allowing humans and pets back into the space.
- Safe for use around kids and pets (when used as directed)
- No odor or staining
- Economical, low mixing rate
- The convenient built-in measuring cup makes mixing simple
- This product can be tank-mixed with labeled insecticides, IGRs, synergists, and other products to enhance the efficacy
- Has no harmful effects on earthworms or soil microorganisms as long as the product is used according to label directions.
- This product is toxic to fish and aquatic invertebrates and should not be used around aquatic habitats
- This product is harmful if inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
- This product will kill many other insects in your yard, including beneficial species.
Summary: A natural botanical insecticide that’s easy to mix and apply and ideal for killing mosquitoes quickly.
Type: Liquid botanical insecticide
Key ingredient(s): Clove oil – 13.2%, Citronella oil – 10.5%, 2-Phenylethyl propionate – 10.5%, Lemongrass oil – 7.9%
Also good for: Ticks and flies.
Rockwell Labs EVMT016 EcoVia MT Mosquito & Tick Control is an excellent option if you’re looking for an eco-friendly mosquito control product.
Unlike conventional insecticides, this botanical insecticide contains natural pest-eliminating ingredients like lemongrass, clove, and citronella oil.
Because this product is oil-based, it sticks to leaves and foliage better than many synthetic insecticides, which allows it to provide long-term control.
This product is safe for use in sensitive areas, like the area around marine environments, including pools and ponds.
Finally, this formula is safe for use around children and pets, as long as you follow label directions.
Our Experience: When we used this product to treat our customers’ yards, we immediately noticed the built-in measuring cup in the bottle, which made measuring easy, mess-free, and straightforward. Unlike other oil-based products, this one didn’t clog our spray nozzles or stain the porous materials we sprayed it on. We enjoyed the pleasant smell and appreciated how concentrated the product was, which allowed us to use a minimal amount to treat even large properties.
How to Use
Depending on your needs and application preferences, you can apply this product with a mist blower, compressed air sprayer, or fogger. To control adult mosquitos, dilute this product at the rate of 0.33-0.66 fl oz per gallon of water. Apply to outdoor shrubbery, ground cover, heavy vegetation, and other areas until the treatment area is thoroughly wet. For maximum efficacy, use a fogger to apply this product to the underside of leaves (where mosquitoes breed and rest). It will not control mosquito populations if you only apply it to the tops of leaves.
Apply every 30 days or as needed for adequate population control.
- Safe for use around kids and pets
- Flexible application options allow you to apply this product in multiple ways
- Non-toxic, eco-friendly, and safe for use around water sources like pools and ponds
- Concentrated, economical formula
- Won’t cause insecticide buildup in the soil
- Mess-free and easy to use
- Offers residual pest control
- Kills mosquitoes on contact
- This product doesn’t last as long as conventional pesticides and must be reapplied every two weeks
- This product gives off a slight essential oil smell, which dissipates quickly as the product dries
- Some customers have reported that this product requires several applications to provide complete mosquito knock-down
Summary: A strong, natural liquid barrier product that keeps mosquitos out of your yard or outdoor space.
Type: An all-natural repellent liquid.
Key ingredient(s): Garlic – 99.3%
Also good for: Gnats, ticks, and fleas.
Mosquito Barrier is an excellent repellent product for anyone who wants to keep buzzing pests away.
Since this product doesn’t contain chemicals (the formula uses the natural pest-repelling properties of garlic!), it’s safe for the environment, animals, and humans.
Thanks to this product’s highly-concentrated formula, one application lasts up to 2 weeks, and a single diluted gallon covers up to 5 acres.
Unlike formulas that contain harsh pesticides or insecticides, this product is safe for bees, butterflies, fish, birds, cats, dogs, and other small animals.
For your convenience, the product can be used in hot or cold misting systems or applied via a pump spray. If you want to increase the product’s ability to stick to vegetation, add a “sticking” element, like vegetable oil.
Our Experience: When we field-tested this product, we found it easy to mix and apply. We also noticed that a little bit of the product went a long way. While it did have a strong garlic odor when we initially applied it, the formula was nearly odorless after about an hour.
How to Use
Shake the formula well before mixing. Add eight teaspoons of mosquito barrier to a gallon of warm water for light infestations.
For heavy infestations, add 16 tablespoons to a gallon of warm water. Stir the mixture well and apply between 8 am and 11 am or later in the afternoon, between 5 pm and 7 pm.
Avoid spraying this product in the heat of the day, and do not spray in windy conditions or if rain is expected within 24 hours.
Using a heavy mist, apply this spray to all grass, ornamental plantings, flowers, vegetables, and trees in your yard. Spray all standing water and puddles, and wet all foliage thoroughly.
- Non-toxic and safe for use around kids, pets, pollinators, and non-target species
- Safe for use around marine environments like ponds and pools
- Odorless when dry
- Keeps mosquitoes away for up to 2 weeks
- The product has a strong garlic odor when wet
- The product does not kill mosquitos and should be used with a conventional insecticide like Syngenta Demand CS
- Requires more frequent re-application than conventional insecticides (about twice a month)
Summary: A sustained-release larvicide that kills mosquito larvae in the water where they grow and mature.
Type: Sustained-release larvicide
Key ingredient(s): Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis Strain BMP 144 solids, spores and insecticidal toxins 10.31%
Also good for: Psychodid flies and larvae.
While insecticides and barrier sprays can help control adult insects and keep mosquitos away, they don’t treat infestations at the root: the larvae themselves.
That’s where this product comes in.
Summit Mosquito Dunks are small, convenient, mess-free briquettes that can be used in permanent standing water sources where mosquito larvae grow.
The briquets work by releasing bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, a natural biocontrol agent that targets mosquito larvae.
By killing larvae before they can become biting adults, these convenient briquets effectively and quickly control mosquito populations and provide continuous control for up to 30 days.
Each briquet effectively treats up to 100 square feet of surface water (no matter how deep). They’re also pet-safe if you use them according to label directions.
Our Experience: When we tested these briquets in our customers’ yards, we found them convenient, fast-acting, and easy to use. We noticed they started killing mosquito larvae within hours and lasted almost a month after application.
How to Use
Read the label directions to determine the quantity of briquet to use: ¼ of a briquet for 1-5 square feet of water, ½ a briquet for 5-25 square feet of standing water, one briquet for 25-100 square feet of surface water, and one briquet per 100 square feet for anything over 100 square feet of surface water. Place the recommended amount of briquet directly into the water. If the water is moving, anchor the briquet using a string tied through the center hole or staking it at the edge of the water feature.
- Safe for use in various environments, including fish habitats, ponds and containerized standing water (like rain barrels)
- Keeps working for up to 30 days
- Briquets can alternate between being wet and dry without losing effectiveness
- The product can cause moderate eye and skin irritation
- Should not be applied directly to treated drinking water or water reservoirs
- Some customers reported that these briquets crumble quickly and clog moving water sources, like pump-equipped fountains
Summary: A pet-safe mosquito trap that kills mosquitoes quickly and is ideal for outdoor use.
Type: Mosquito trap.
Key ingredient(s): N/A
Also good for: N/A
Are you looking for a chemical-free way to kill mosquitos in your outdoor space? Look no further than the Catchmaster Oasis Ovi-Mini Mosquito Trap.
This unique trap targets and kills egg-laying female mosquitos by mimicking a breeding site. By targeting female mosquitos, this trap controls populations and reduces infestations quickly.
Each package contains four traps, which can provide enough coverage for small outdoor spaces.
These traps can be placed on the ground or hung discretely and can utilize a combination of organic materials like clipped grass or dried leaves and water to attract mosquitos.
Our Experience: When we used these traps to eliminate mosquitoes in our customers’ yards, we found them convenient and fast-acting. The traps were messy to assemble, and we found the sticky strip challenging to get in place. That said, these are good traps for small outdoor spaces like patios and porches.
How to Use
Take the trap apart and remove the screen between the trap’s base and upper section, which prevents mosquitoes from entering the water that attracts them. Fill the bottom of the trap with water and add attractants like hay or dried leaves, if desired. Line the upper section with the sticky strip that traps the mosquitos and re-assemble the trap. Hang the trap or place it on the ground wherever you’d like to eliminate mosquitos. These traps work best in cool, moist areas where mosquitoes tend to lay their eggs.
- Non-toxic, safe for use around kids and pets
- Silent and smell-free
- Sleek-looking and easy to blend with most outdoor decor
- Hidden capture chamber hides dead mosquitos
- Can be challenging to assemble
- Only effective for small spaces like porches, patios, and decks
- Sticky boards are messy and can melt in the heat
Summary: An effective mosquito-repellent spray for use on your outdoor items, like tents, patio cushions, and more.
Type: Mosquito repellent.
Key ingredient(s): Permethrin
Also good for: Ticks, chiggers, mites, and 55 other insects.
To repel mosquitos during your next outdoor gathering, reach for Sawyer Products SP657 Premium Permethrin Insect Repellent.
This product uses Permethrin to control buzzing pests. Permethrin is a synthetic molecule that mimics the naturally bug-repelling substances in the chrysanthemum flower. When applied to outdoor clothing, fabrics, and furniture, this formula repels mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, and other biting pests.
Since this product binds to fabrics and lasts up to 6 weeks or 6 washes (when used correctly), this product is an excellent choice for anyone who likes to camp, hike, or spend time outdoors.
Our Experience:
When we used this mosquito-repelling spray in our customers’ yards, we were impressed by how fast-acting, effective, and easy to use it was. The spray nozzle offered a wide spray and adequate coverage, and the formula was completely odorless once dry. The spray did not stain or damage any finished surfaces, clothing, or fabrics.
How to Use
Apply this product directly to gear and clothing with a slow, sweeping motion. Ensure an even spray by spraying both sides of the garment for at least 30 seconds and keeping the bottle at least 6-8” from the product you’re spraying.
- Effective
- DEET-free
- Long-lasting
- Can be applied directly to dogs
- Non-staining
- Odor-free when dry
- Prevents mosquito bites
- This product should not be applied directly to the skin or used as a personal mosquito repellent.
- This product has a very strong smell when it is wet.
- The spray bottle’s nozzle is flimsy and breaks easily
- Does not kill mosquitos
Summary: A mosquito-repellent candle that’s perfect for outdoor use.
Type: Mosquito repellent.
Key ingredient(s): Rosemary, peppermint, and lemongrass essential oils
Also good for: N/A
Ban mosquitos from your next outdoor event, barbeque, or cookout with Murphy’s Mosquito-Repelling Candle.
Made from a combination of plant-based repellent oils like rosemary, peppermint, and lemongrass, this 100% soy and beeswax candle burns cleanly and efficiently and repels mosquitos for up to 30 hours.
Unlike other mosquito-repellent candles, this one does not contain DEET, petroleum, synthetic fragrances, or harsh chemicals, making it an excellent choice for anyone who wants to get rid of mosquitoes without toxic chemicals.
Our Experience:
When we recommended these mosquito-repelling candles to our customers, we found they created an effective mosquito-proof barrier for about 10-15 feet within the burn area. The candles’ light essential oil scent was pleasant, and we appreciated the long burn time.
How to Use
Light the candle and place it in a stable place where you want to repel mosquitoes outdoors. Blow the candle out before you leave the site. To ensure safety, don’t leave the lit candle within reach of kids and pets.
- Effective
- Chemical-free
- Long-lasting
- Light, pleasant odor
- Does not kill mosquitos
- Cannot be used indoors
- Can be a fire hazard if left unattended
Summary: A battery-operated fogger that’s perfect for residential outdoor use.
Type: Fogger.
Key ingredient(s): N/A
Also good for: Ticks
If you’re looking for a residential fogger that’s easy to use, this Ryobi model is a great place to start. With a tank volume of 0.5 gallons, this battery-powered fogger is portable and lightweight yet powerful enough to deliver fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, and other treatment solutions directly where you need them.
The fogger covers up to 1,000 square feet per minute and can handle up to 10,000 square feet per battery charge. The fogger starts instantly and is capable of producing atomized particles (of organic or synthetic pesticides) that can travel up to 15 feet, which allows them to settle in hard-to-reach spaces for maximum pest control.
Our Experience:
We field-tested this Ryobi fogger in our customers’ yards and liked that it was lightweight, easy to fill, and simple to use. That said, the tank maximum load is a little small to cover larger spaces, and we noticed that the battery charge ran out before we finished large yards.
How to Use:
Remove the fogger’s battery pack, unscrew the tank cap, and fill the tank with the desired liquid – up to ½ gallon of volume. Do not fill the tank past the max fill line. Screw the cap back into place and reinstall the battery pack. Direct the fogger nozzle at the plants or objects you want to spray and depress the trigger to start fogging.
- Lightweight, portable
- The fogger produces ample turbulence and small enough droplets to coat both sides of a leaf surface and kill more mosquitos
- Affordable
- Battery-operated and cord-fee
- Compatible with pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, and more
- Fogger is easy to clean with warm water
- Easy to fill
- Not suitable for large yards
- Spraying up at an angle impacts the atomization and creates heavy spray
- Fogger will not pick up fluid when the tank is low
- Holding the fogger at an angle will cause the liquid to stream or spurt rather than fog
Buyers’ Guide
Wondering how to choose the right mosquito killer for your space?
Here are our top tips:
1. Target mosquitos at all life phases
Getting rid of mosquito infestations can be difficult because very few products kill mosquitos at every stage of their life cycle.
Because of this, it’s best to leverage a combination of products that kill mosquitoes from larvae to adults.
We recommend Summit Mosquito Dunks, Syngenta Demand CS, and – because it’s impossible to eliminate all mosquitoes outdoors – a repellent like Mosquito Barrier.
2. Buy products formulated especially for mosquitoes
Mosquitoes behave differently than other biting pests like ticks, so it’s essential to buy products designed to target their habitats and biology.
Instead of looking for broad-spectrum insecticides that might work on mosquitoes, opt for powerful formulas designed specially to kill mosquitoes.
3. Buy water-safe products
Since mosquitoes breed, mature, and lay their eggs in shady, cool, moist environments, it’s crucial to ensure that any product you apply is safe for aquatic environments and won’t harm fish, other aquatic insects, or non-target species.
Remember that mosquitoes only need access to a few tablespoons of water for about a week to create a full-blown infestation and start bothering you, so it’s critical to treat or remove even small volumes of water.
Bottom Line
While all of the products on this list are excellent mosquito-control options, Syngenta Demand CS stands out as our top choice.
We use this product in the field repeatedly because its micro-encapsulated formula allows it to adhere to pests’ bodies and provide long-term mosquito control for outdoor areas.
We also love that this product is pet-safe and doesn’t stain porous materials during application.
How We Tested These Products
To choose the mosquito killers we included on this list, we compiled the products we regularly use as pest control professionals and then selected the best-performing products in each category.
After we developed our initial list of products, we assessed each based on how quickly it killed mosquitoes, how well it performed, its price, and the product’s safety and ease of use.
The result is this list of effective, targeted, high-quality products that we can confidently recommend.
Why Trust Pest Dude?
When you consider a product recommendation, trust is essential. You want balanced information based on real-world experience. Here at the Pest Dude, we’re committed to giving you both. Our team research and test every product. We compare results with other licensed pest control professionals, and we double-check our findings.
Zachary Smith, our company founder, has over 20 years of field experience. He runs his own company, Smith’s Pest Management, serving home and business owners throughout the Bay Area. Zachary has the final say over featured products. The goal is to give you the knowledge you need to solve pest problems like a pro. It’s our pleasure to put our expertise at your service.
FAQs
Mosquitoes carry a variety of diseases, including Zika virus, West Nile virus, Chikungunya virus, dengue, and malaria. Mosquitoes transmit diseases through their saliva when they bite an uninfected host.
The Asian tiger mosquito is by far the most significant threat this season. These mosquitoes transmit a variety of mosquito-borne diseases and are considered invasive pests. Like other mosquito species, this mosquito lays its eggs in standing water, so you can prevent the spread of the species by removing common sources of standing water from your property.
