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7 Ways To Get Rid Of Mosquitoes Indoors

This guide will show you some cheap & reliable ways to stay bite-free in your home. Find out more about my proven strategies and secret recommendations.

There’s nothing more annoying than mosquitoes…

… especially when their itchy bites hount you indoors.

This guide will show you some very effective strategies to get rid of (most of) them.

Mosquito prevention is cheap & effective

It would take 1.2 million bites for a mosquito to drain all of the blood from our body – that entire thought is enough to want to make us run inside and hide away from all those nasty mosquitos.

kill mosquitoes indoors
There are some useful strategies to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.

If only that worked – running into the house and hiding, that is. It’s quite inevitable, actually, that mosquitos will find their way indoors.

Mosquitos can make their way into your room through open doors and windows, obviously, but they also make their way in through minuscule holes in your window screens, and they even get blown in on occasion, from the wind.

Once they make it in, it seems like it is impossible to get them out- that’s why you should do everything to prevent them from entering.

Easy steps to less mosquitoes in your home

  1. Kill off the larvae. The fewer mosquitoes are buzzing around the smaller is the chance that they will annoy you indoors.
  2. Use mosquito dunks & mosquito beater granules around your yard – they work best in the weeks before mosquito seasons starts.
  3. Use mosquito netting for doors & windows. They don’t offer 100% protection but they are cheap & make everything else easier.
  4. Once they hatched you can get rid of them with mosquito traps on your property. These devices are expensive but very effective killing machines.
  5. Mosquito lanterns & mosquito killer sprays are cheaper helpful, but generally less effective.

Check out the linked guides if you want to read more about a topic & buying recommendations.

So how do you get rid of mosquitos when they have made their way into your home? You certainly don’t want to be lathering up with a mosquito repelling lotion – not when you are indoors.

Thankfully, there are a variety of products available to do quite a good job of getting rid of these bugs.

Are electric indoor traps effective?

From my experience electric insect killers are the best indoor tool because they help against mosquitoes and many other bugs.

I usually switch my indoor mosquito trap on for 2 days a week and it gets rid of most insects in my house.

Mount Doom for mosquitoes
Mount doom for mosquitoes…

No more mosquitoes, flies or gnats harass me when I just want to watch a game. I’ve yet to find a viable alternative that is as effective in keeping my house mosquito-free as electric bug zappers. These devices just plain work.

Chemical-free & easy to use

They are nontoxic, require minimal maintenance and they are straightforward to use.

Their light lures flying critters into a grid where they meet their doom. In comparison to many other ways to get rid of mosquitoes they are chemical-free and you won’t experience any concerning side effects in regard to your health.

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I have to admit that there’s one downside: Whenever a mosquito gets killed this device makes a satisfying zzzapp-sound. You won’t notice it after some time in your living room – but I wouldn’t recommend it for use in bed rooms.

Citronella candles for indoor use

Regarding those citronella candles, in 2018, Consumer Reports released an article about various types of insect repellents to skip (to avoid purchasing).

mosquito candles

 

I have to say that I agree with them on several of their recommendations. But I disagree about those citronella candles.

  • In my experience, these candles work very well, both indoors and out. That said, when using these candles in my yard outside, I always combine the candles with the strategy of keeping my yard free from standing water, and free from decaying leaves.
  • Since mosquitos like wet and dark places, I simply try to keep those spaces to a minimum. And, when I leverage this strategy outdoors, it actually means less mosquitos indoors too.

I love soy candles, especially those that aren’t smoky, as I hate the residue that can get on my walls from a candle that is burning close by.

I am particularly fond of the Just Makes Scents Citronella Scented Blended Soy Candle. This product is made from eco-friendly blended soy way made from United States grown soybeans.

I also love giving business to these small businesses – these candles are actually hand poured in North Carolina and they are very well priced.

For Prime members, you can get quick delivery just in time to get you through mosquito season. And these mosquito candles make a great gift-giving item as well (so I am told by some female friends of mine).

Citronella Scented Blended Soy Candle for Indoor Use by Just Makes Scents (Citronella)
My pick for an indoor citronella candle

Just Makes Scents citronella candles really work and they smell great too.

Last update on 2024-03-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Ultrasonic pest repellers for indoor use

On a more serious note, I have had great luck with both ultrasonic pest repellers as well as indoors. There are a wide variety of ultrasonic mosquito repellers on the market that are perfect for indoor use.

I’ve said this before, but I am a big fan of the No products found. I like this product because it is safe for everyone from the family, and I especially these mosquito repellents for use in your baby’s bedroom (just don’t expect 100% safety because these devices are small & not too powerful).

  • A cool benefit with this item is that you don’t need batteries and you don’t need to buy replacement cartridges or anything like that.
  • You just plug the electromagnetic pest repeller into the wall socket and hold the button down for three seconds.

Then, you’re good to go. Not only that, but it is super quiet too, so you don’t have to worry about it waking up you, the dog, or your kids.

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And because I have suggested this product before, I want to offer another recommendation for a similar ultrasonic pest repeller that I think works just as well. The No products found. is a great choice.

As with the BRISON, this product not only repels mosquitos, but also other pests such as mice, roaches, spiders, ants, and more.

  • This device is adjustable – just plug in into your outlet, and you will know that the pest reject ultrasonic repeller is working when you see that the green light is on.
  • You can then adjust the device for a more serious pest infestation by changing it to purple, or to red if you have a serious pest infestation.

This device works well in a space up to 1200 square feet. But, note that the ultrasonic waves don’t make their way through walls, so you do need to install these units in every room that you are trying to protect, for maximum effect.

Fun in the living room: electric swatters

This last item really wasn’t designed for indoor use, but it is super cool and lots of fun to use, so I just have to add it to my list of recommendations.

electic indoor swatter

With just a flip of a switch and a flick of the wrist, you can zap away those bugs without zapping yourself, and you can practice that tennis backhand at the same time. Just make sure you watch where you are swatting as I am really not the best at suggesting replacement lamps or televisions.

Seriously, give the No products found. a try.

You can use these rackets indoors or outdoors, and they are so much fun that I suggest getting this two-pack, because undoubtedly, someone else will want to try it too.

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DIY mosquito trap for indoor use

If you are a do-it-yourselfer, you’ll be pleased to know that you can make an indoor mosquito trap, all on your own.

While these homemade devices can have varying success, it is a fun project, and if it works for you, then you can save yourself considerable expense.

These homemade devices can be made in 20 minutes or less, often from simple items that you might already have lying around the house.

Making your own mosquito trap

To make your own homemade trap, you will need the following supplies:

  • Empty 2-liter soda container
  • X-Acto blade or razor knife
  • Duct tape
  • Black construction paper or paper and black spray paint
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 1 package dry active yeast

Here’s how you make it yourself in 6 steps

Step 1 – Use a blade to slice off the top section of the soda container, just below where the neck of the bottle flares out to meet the main section of the bottle.

Step 2 – Invert the neck of the bottle so that it looks like a funnel, and place it into the body of the bottle. Be careful not to push it all the way down. You want to leave enough space between the neck of the bottle and the bottom of the larger piece.

Step 3 – Seal the escape route with duct tape. The duct tape will hold the funnel in place and will also seal the edges of the funnel against the edges of the bottle.

Step 4 – Spray the entire trap with black spray paint and let it dry – the dark coloring will block out the sunlight which will help the bait to last longer.

Step 5 – Make the mosquito bait by adding 1/4 cup of brown sugar to 1 cup of boiling water. Stir the mixture thoroughly until the sugar is dissolved completely. Let the mixture cool to 120-degrees Fahrenheit and then mix in the yeast. Then, pour the mixture into the bottle, and your trap will be ready to go.

Step 6 – Set the trap outside in a shady part of your yard. Ideally, these traps should be placed around the perimeter of your yard, and too close to your patio or where people will be hanging out. You can also use this trap indoors – I suggest in your common areas, and not too close to the kitchen or the bedrooms.

An alternative you can try

If you got confused along the way with these instructions, check out this video which will walk you through the process. And if the do-it-yourself thing is not for you, don’t worry, as there are traps that you can purchase that are equally effective.

I’m a fan of the Katchy Indoor Insect Trap - Catcher & Killer for Mosquitos, Gnats, Moths, Fruit Flies - Non-Zapper Traps for Inside Your Home - Catch Insects Indoors with Suction, Bug Light & Sticky Glue (Black) This item is sleek and blends in with your décor. Not only that, but it is great for catching mosquitos, fruit flies, and gnats.

The UV light within the trap lures the insects in, and then the fan sucks then in. The sticky glue boards inside the unit make sure the bugs can’t escape. The product is non-toxic and odorless, and there is no zapping noise like is common with outdoor mosquito lanterns and bug zappers.

You do need to plug this item into a wall or USB power source, and it works best in a dark or closed room. You do need to purchase KATCHY Insect Trap Refillable Glue Boards (Set of 4) on occasion.

Citronella Scented Blended Soy Candle for Indoor Use by Just Makes Scents (Citronella)
Katchy Indoor Insect Trap

Great for catching mosquitos, fruit flies, and gnats (but not so good for houseflies)

Last update on 2024-03-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Protect your family from mosquitos

Protecting your family from pests like mosquitos is vital to their health, and while it is unfortunate that we need to take precautions to prevent mosquitos in our homes as much as outdoors, it’s just a matter of reality.

So, try some of my recommendations & guides on this site – I trust that you will be able to get your indoor mosquitos under control in no time:

The best mosquito trap

Mosquito repellent guide

Natural mosquito control for your garden