Mosquito Central specializes in mosquito traps that lure and kill mosquitoes, plus mosquito repellents that keep them away. We have a variety of products that will help keep your outdoor experience a pleasant one, free of mosquitoes and other biting insects (including midges, gnats, and no-see-ums).

Mosquito Repellents

The Mosquito Sentry is the only non-toxic repellent on the market that can repel all biting insects from a fairly large area (up to 900 Sq. Ft.). It emits a vapor of food grade plant materials that mosquitoes don't like.

Next, the Cognitos and Conceal Candles emit a scent that is also totally non-toxic that confuses mosquitoes so that they cannot find you. 

The Thermacell mosquito repellent puts out Pyrethrin, which mosquitoes don't like (and has some toxicity), and is effective for an area of about 15 feet in diameter.

All of these products are effective at repelling mosquitoes, gnats, midges and other biting insects. Browse through the detail pages for each product to find those best suited to your specific surroundings.  

Mosquito Traps

Current research shows how mosquito traps attract and kill mosquitoes: 

Lactic Acid has been added to Octenol in the most recent mosquito trap lure, the Nosquito Combo lure. It has tested much more attractive to Asian Tiger mosquitoes and midges.  It is also more attractive than Octenol alone to most other mosquitoes. We recommend the Nosquito Combo lure for all mosquito types in all machines except for the MT350 (it will not fit).

• Movement and Light: Mosquitoes can perceive movement and objects that differ in color from the background from a distance of around 30 feet. As the mosquito following the scent comes nearer, it senses movement of an animal or human and targets it. Some of the models we carry create the appearance of movement to the mosquito by tiny flashing LED lights in the body of the mosquito killer or repellent machine.
• Moisture: Animals perspire which can be perceived by mosquitoes close to the source. A mosquito machine that uses propane gives off moisture, to lure and kill mosquitoes.
• Heat: Animals are usually warmer than their surroundings. Receptors on the mosquito's antenna help locate warmer areas from a distance of 10 feet, more if it is humid. The mosquito machine styles that convert propane give off some heat as the final lure in order to trap and kill mosquitoes.

So in summary, mosquitoes are first attracted by CO2 up to 100 feet distant and start to fly towards the source.  Next Octenol and Lactic Acid start to be perceived around 50 feet (the Combo lure is particularly effective).  As the insect continues toward the source, the lights and apparent movement in some mosquito traps add 2 more attractants.  Finally, the mosquitoes sense the heat and moisture from the CO2 release (if present) and the heated surface (Dragonfly II) and fly into the mosquito machine, where they are blown by a fan into a container from which they cannot escape, making these types of traps mosquito killer machines.

Why is one mosquito trap better than the other?  The shape, size, color and height of the mosquito machine can make a huge difference.  So does the amount of CO2, octenol and lactic acid released. Some frequencies of lights work better than others. Having a heated surface helps. The way the fans are designed to draw them in makes a big difference. 

For these and many other reasons, it is very hard to make an effective mosquito trap or mosquito killer machine. We only carry mosquito traps that test well.  For the best protection, you need to kill mosquitoes effectively using one or more of the mosquito traps we recommend and use mosquito repellents to keep any that remain away from you.