There’s nothing better than relaxing on a lounge chair, tending to your flower garden, or enjoying a backyard cookout with friends. What could possibly ruin all that? Insects that hover over your food, buzz in your face, and bite you. From flies to moths to mosquitoes.
Do not let it bug you if you haven’t had success with deterrent sprays and citronella torches. Here are our top picks for best bug zappers, plus how to select the one that best suits your needs and budget.
| Products | Price |
|---|---|
| Flowtron BK-40D Electronic Insect Killer | |
| BLACK+DECKER Bug Zapper | |
| ASPECTEK Electronic Bug Zapper | |
| ZAP IT! Bug Zapper 4,000 Volt | |
| Livin’ Well Bug Zapper |
1. Flowtron BK-40D Electronic Insect Killer
With the Flowtron BK-40D electronic insect killer, you can attract pests from up to an acre away using a high-intensity UV bulb.
Mosquitoes, biting flies, and other irritating bugs are zapped when they are exposed to an electrified grid. It was noted that this zapper eliminated flying insects in our backyard exceptionally well.
Mosquitoes are lured by an octenol (an ingredient in many pesticides) attractant cartridge that comes with the zapper.
There are replacement cartridges available, and each one lasts 30 days. Although the bug zapping increased with the cartridge, the lantern still worked without it.
Plugs into a wall, this bug zapper is made of durable polycarbonate. You may need an extension cord since the power cord is short; we recommend hanging it out of the way to keep nearby bugs away.
The fact that it is brighter and louder than some other models makes it a great choice for any outdoor space, especially if you need something to cover a large area.
2. BLACK+DECKER Bug Zapper
Using its high-intensity UV light, this bug zapper from Black & Decker protects up to a half-acre from flying pests. Even during a storm, the waterproof housing keeps the zapper lit and operational. These zappers are discreet because they operate quietly and keep UV light out of your eyes.
Besides zapping insects, the Black & Decker zapper has other useful features. For easy maintenance, the collection tray and cleaning brush can be removed. Besides a sleek, attractive cover, the zapper also includes a hook for hanging, a flat base for use on a table, and a 5-foot power cord.
3. ASPECTEK Electronic Bug Zapper
The Aspectek Bug Zapper is the best indoor option thanks to its grid-style design and 40 watts of power. Houseflies, mosquitoes, boxelder bugs, moths, gnats, and even wasps are killed by the high-voltage metal grids.
The insect killer can easily be set up on a counter, shelf, floor, or hung up if there is an outlet nearby. Taking the bottom plastic tray off and wiping away leftover debris makes it easy to clean. An impressive 5,000 hours can be clocked up by the light bulb.
As an indoor zapper, we did notice that it was a little loud and very bright, so they put it somewhere they could avoid it and limited its use to several hours at a time.
4. ZAP IT! Bug Zapper 4,000 Volt
Use the ZAP IT to take care of pests! bug zapper. It’s safe and easy to kill flies, gnats, and mosquitoes with this handheld zapper, both inside and out. This portable device can zap up to 10,000 times on a single charge, easily replacing any old-school swatter.
Bugs are attracted to the racket by the blue light, making them easy targets, and they die when they are in contact with the electrified grid. With its triple-layered safety mesh, the racket is safe to touch and prevents accidental zaps.
5. Livin’ Well Bug Zapper
With an 18-watt ultraviolet light, this highly effective electric bug zapper lures flies, mosquitoes, and gnats. Insects are zapped by using up to 4,000 volts of energy in this device. One of the best features of this product is its completely chemical- and odor-free nature.
In addition to this zapper’s bright light, it also emits a useful dim glow so that you can see it at night without being blinded by it. If you want an affordable option, this bug zapper is a great choice.
Enhanced Defense Range Up to 1,500 sq. ft. You can use this outdoor bug zapper and mosquito killer lamp both indoors and outdoors: in the bedroom, living room, kitchen, patio, deck, and backyard.
Things to Consider Before Buying
The bug zapper has been around for longer than you might think. Early prototypes had an electric light and a chunk of bait encased in a cage that had been electrified. Insects were electrocuted when they touched the cage after being attracted by the light and bait.
There is a simple concept behind a lot of the best bug zappers today. These devices use ultraviolet or UV, light to kill insects. A grid of electrified wires kills the bugs on contact as they try to reach the light. If any dead bugs are found in the tray, they are emptied as often as needed (usually every two to seven days, depending on pest prevalence).
When choosing an indoor or outdoor bug zapper, keep the following factors in mind.
Power Source
The majority of bug zappers are plug-in electric models, which operate on a range of power sources. When used outdoors, an electric bug zapper will need an outlet outside. Alternately, you can use an outdoor extension cord, but ensure that it is rated for outdoor use.
Camping, tailgating, and other outdoor activities benefit from lightweight, battery-powered bug zappers. You can hang them from trees or place them on tables. Another option is a racquet-type zapper, similar to an electrified fly swatter that shocks bugs it comes into contact with.
Solar power is used to power the latest, most versatile outdoor bug zappers. Then turn them on at dusk to start zapping pests at home or on the road. Place them in the sun during the day to charge their batteries, and turn them on at dusk to start zapping pests.
Outdoor vs. Indoor
They are equipped to handle the elements better than indoor zappers, even though they perform the same function. In addition, they are usually larger and have larger collection trays. For a patio or seating area, electric bug-zappers make an attractive and popular option.
The white UV lights inside bug-zappers are sometimes preferable to the sometimes-distracting deep purple emitted by outdoor models. Since they are the easiest to install indoors, wall fixtures and countertop units tend to be the best indoor bug zappers. Check the label before buying, as some bug zappers are effective both indoors and outdoors.
Shock Value
Electric grids inside plug-in bug zappers and lantern-type bug zappers are safely enclosed in a plastic cage so that fingers cannot accidentally touch them. A racquet-type zapper, also known as an “electric fly swatter,” presents a different challenge.
The handle of the tennis racket–style racquet can be used to electrify the grid, then you can swing the head at flies. Bugs are electrocuted if they come into contact with it. People or insects who touch the grid when the button is pressed will be shocked.
Make sure the handheld zapper has a protective layer to prevent accidental zappings. Be sure to keep pets out of the reach of electric fly swatters, and remind children they are not toys.
Bait
The light of a bug zapper attracts many flying insects, yet a study conducted by the University of Delaware found that the device kills more non-biting insects than biters, such as mosquitoes and biting flies.
Mosquito zappers make their product more effective by incorporating octenol, which was discovered in the sweat and breath of humans and makes it irresistible to mosquitoes. Octenol is packaged in small, compact lures that adhere to the zapper’s collection tray.
The lures attract mosquitoes for up to three months. Alternatively, you can hunt the mosquitoes manually with a handheld zapper. An excellent mosquito zapper for indoors is also a racket-style zapper.
Coverage Area
If you’re looking for an outdoor bug zapper, you should look at the coverage area that’s listed, often by acreage. It is not clear whether there are industry standards, but typically a larger coverage area means brighter UV lights so that bugs see them from a greater distance.