Cómo elegir un antimosquitos: Guía 2025 de selección y uso

When mosquitoes are rampant in summer, mosquito killers become essential tools for many households and public places. However, with a wide variety of products on the market, consumers are often troubled by questions such as “Which mosquito killer is the most effective?”, “Can pregnant women and infants use them?”, and “Are they safe and environmentally friendly?”. This article compiles frequently asked questions about mosquito killers, providing clear and practical answers from their working principles to safety details.

I. Basic Understanding: Working Principles and Core Types of Mosquito Killers

1. How do mosquito killers kill or repel mosquitoes?

The core principle of mosquito killers is to simulate the “prey signals” of mosquitoes, attracting them through light, smell, heat, etc., and then eliminating them through physical or chemical means. For example:

– Electric shock type: Attracts mosquitoes with ultraviolet light, and they are electrocuted when they come into contact with the high-voltage grid.

– Suction type: Attracts mosquitoes with ultraviolet light and fan airflow, and then sucks them into the mosquito storage box, causing them to die from lack of oxygen.

– Photocatalytic type: Releases carbon dioxide by stimulating a catalyst with ultraviolet light (simulating human breathing), attracting mosquitoes and then sucking or trapping them.

– Chemical repellent type: Releases mosquito repellent components (such as DEET, picaridin) through heating and evaporation, forming a protective barrier.

2. What are the differences between different types of mosquito killers? Which is more suitable for home use?

For families, especially those with children, it is recommended to choose inhalation or photocatalytic types of air purifiers. This is to avoid the safety hazards of electric shock and noise from electric types.

II. Effectiveness and Scenarios: What Area Can a Mosquito Killer Cover? Where Can’t It Be Used?

1. What is the coverage area of a mosquito killer? Can it prevent mosquitoes throughout the house?

Most household mosquito killers have a coverage area of 10-50 square meters (depending on the product power). For example:

– Desktop suction mosquito killer: Suitable for 10-20 square meters bedrooms;

– Floor-standing photocatalytic mosquito killer: Can cover 30-50 square meters living rooms.

It is impossible to prevent mosquitoes throughout the house with just one mosquito killer. It is recommended to place them according to the usage scenarios (such as placing floor-standing models in the living room and desktop models in the bedroom), and combine them with physical protection measures such as screens and mosquito nets.

2. Can mosquito killers be used outdoors? For example, in the courtyard or during camping?

Some mosquito killers are specially designed for outdoor use and need to meet three major requirements: waterproof, wind-resistant, and long battery life:

– Outdoor-specific models: Mostly solar-powered with waterproof shells, suitable for courtyards and terraces;

– Portable camping models: Battery-powered, small in size, can be hung inside tents (preferably chemical repellent or suction types).

Ordinary indoor mosquito killers (such as electric shock types) cannot be used outdoors. Rain and dust can cause short circuits and damage.

3. Do mosquito killers need to be turned on all night? When is the best time to turn them on?

It is recommended to turn them on in advance during the active periods of mosquitoes:

– Evening 17:00-21:00 (mosquitoes’ peak foraging time in the dusk);

– Early morning 4:00-6:00 (some mosquitoes are active at dawn).

Mosquito killers in the bedroom can be turned on all night, but note:

– Suction type and chemical repellent type are silent and do not affect sleep;

– Electric shock type may cause noise and disturb light sleepers. It is recommended to turn it off at night or move it to the living room.

III. Safety and Health: Can Pregnant Women and Infants Use Them? Are There Any Side Effects?

1. Are mosquito killers harmful to pregnant women and infants?

– Physical mosquito elimination types (electric shock, suction, photocatalytic): No chemical substances are released, and they can be safely used by pregnant women and infants, but note:

Electric shock type should be placed at a high place out of reach of children (to avoid accidental electric shock to the grid);

The ultraviolet rays used in photocatalysts are in the UVA band, with low doses, and are harmless as long as they are not viewed directly at close range (>1 meter).

– Chemical mosquito repellent type: Be cautious when choosing ingredients:

DEET: Safe for infants when the concentration is ≤10% (recommended by the US CDC), but pregnant women should use it with caution;

Picaridin: Higher safety, suitable for pregnant women and infants over 2 months old;

IR3535: Certified by the EU, suitable for sensitive individuals.

It is recommended to prioritize physical mosquito killers, and for chemical types, check the ingredient list and control the usage time.

2. Will the ultraviolet light from mosquito killers harm the skin or eyes?

Formal mosquito killers use long-wave ultraviolet light (UVA) with a wavelength of 320-400nm and low energy. As long as you do not look directly at the lamp tube from a short distance (<30cm) for a long time (such as for more than 1 hour), it will not harm the skin or eyes.

Suggestion: When placing, avoid having the lamp tube directly facing the bed or sofa seat, and keep a distance of more than 1 meter during daily use.

3. Do the mosquito corpses in the mosquito killer need to be cleaned up in time? Will there be bacteria if not?

It must be cleaned regularly for the following reasons:

– Decomposition of the corpses will produce an odor, attracting ants and flies;

– It may breed mold and bacteria, especially in a humid environment.

Cleaning frequency:

– Suction type / Electric shock type: Clean the mosquito storage box once every 3-7 days with a brush or water;

– Photocatalytic type: Wipe the mosquito sticky board or filter once a week to avoid blockage and affect the effect.

IV. Purchase and Maintenance: How to choose a good mosquito killer? Can it be used all the time?

1. What parameters should be paid attention to when buying a mosquito killer? What should be avoided?

Core parameters:

– Coverage area: Choose according to the size of the room (products labeled “suitable for 50㎡” may actually be 80% of that, so it is recommended to choose a slightly larger size);

– Noise decibels: For bedrooms, it should be <40 decibels (equivalent to the environment of a library), which can be checked on the product detail page;

– Certification marks: Prioritize products certified by CCC (China), CE (EU), and FDA (US), which are safer.

Points to note:

– Pay attention to the content of toxic and harmful substances in “chemical mosquito killers”, especially when used by pregnant women and infants, choose carefully;

– Be cautious when buying low-priced electric shock types: Some inferior products have a large gap in the electric grid, allowing mosquitoes to escape or posing an electric leakage risk.

2. What is the service life of a mosquito killer? Do parts need to be replaced?

– Overall lifespan: 3-5 years (depending on the material and usage frequency);

– Replacement of vulnerable parts:

Ultraviolet lamp tube: Replace after 2000-3000 hours of use when the brightness decreases (about once every 1-2 years);

Photocatalytic filter: Clean once every 3-6 months and replace every 2-3 years (otherwise the catalytic effect will decline);

Mosquito storage box / sticky board: These are consumables and need to be replaced or cleaned regularly.

3. Why does the mosquito killer lose its effect after a few days of use?

Mosquitoes develop “adaptation”: Long-term use of the same light source or odor, alternate the use of different types of mosquito killers (e.g., use suction type on Monday and switch to photocatalytic type on Wednesday);

Incorrect placement: Placing it near strong light (such as a desk lamp or window) will weaken the attraction of ultraviolet light, so place it in a dark corner;

Lamp tube aging: Insufficient ultraviolet light brightness, replace with a new lamp tube;

Environmental interference: Strong odors in the room (such as perfume or cooking fumes) may mask the attraction signal of the mosquito killer, so keep the environment well-ventilated.

4. Compared with mosquito coils and electric mosquito swatters, which is more cost-effective?

From a long-term perspective, mosquito killers are more cost-effective:

– Mosquito killer: One-time investment (100-500 yuan), annual maintenance cost about 50 yuan (replace the lamp tube and filter screen).

– Mosquito incense: Each box 10-20 yuan, 2-3 boxes needed per month, annual cost 200-300 yuan, and it has smoke pollution.

– Electric mosquito swatter: Unit price 50-100 yuan, but it needs manual operation, suitable for temporary supplementary killing, and cannot replace the active defense function of mosquito killers.

Summary: Choosing the right mosquito killer depends on the scene and safety.

The core of mosquito killers is “targeted solution to scene needs”: silent suction type for the bedroom, wide coverage photocatalytic type for the living room, and waterproof solar type for outdoor use. At the same time, regardless of the type, regular maintenance and safety distance should be noted. We hope we can help you avoid purchasing mistakes and deal with mosquito troubles easily – making mosquito killers truly an “invisible defense line” rather than a new burden in life.