Enjoy a relaxing, bug-free 2024 with some of the best bug zappers on the market!
Whether you’re indoors enjoying a cozy night by the fire, or outside having a splash by the pool, nothing puts a damper on your fun quite like mosquitoes and flies.
While bug bracelets, tiki torches, and citronella candles may be great, when the buzzing swarm of biters gets to be too much, you need to call in the big guns – a bug zapper.
A great bug zapper won’t only keep the insects away – it will eliminate them completely. No more incessant swatting. No more itchy welts. And no more annoying buzzing.
Here, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite electric bug zappers for a variety of settings, as well as some tips on how to find the best electronic bug zapper for your unique needs.
Let’s get started!
Best Outdoor Bug Zapper for Residential Use
Dimensions: 9.7 x 9.7 x 16.5 inches | Type: Lantern | Coverage area: 1 acre | Power source: Plug-in | Grid voltage: 5,600
When it comes to keeping bugs away in your backyard, nothing gets the job done quite like the Flowtron 1 Acre Bug Zapper. This super-effective, nature-friendly electric bug zapper is the ultimate mosquito elimination solution for killing flying insects without harming the environment.
The 40-watt ultraviolet bulb and patented octenol attractant easily lure insects within a whopping 1-acre radius and the 5600V patented, non-clogging killing grid instantly kills them on contact. Bug remains fall right to the ground for natural absorption into the ecosystem, saving you time on maintenance.
The only downside? The 9-inch power cord means you’ll likely need an extension cord, which can be easily purchased online.
Pros:
- Octenol attractant effectively lures mosquitoes
- Durable weatherproof design
- Modern look
- Easily replaceable bug zapper light
Cons:
Short power cord
Best Handheld Bug Zapper
Dimensions: 17.24 x 13.35 x 1.73 inches| Type: Handheld | Coverage area: Arm’s length| Power source: Rechargeable battery | Grid voltage: 4,000
If your bug problem is mild and you’d get some satisfaction out of personally destroying the insects in your home, this might be the option for you.
This powerful, battery-powered racket delivers a powerful 4,000 volts of electricity, making it an effective fly killer and indoor bug zapper. The simple, effective design is perfect for use in the home or outdoors, and it comes with 2 AA batteries for added convenience. Plus, the lightweight, portable design makes it the perfect portable option.
It should go without saying, though, that in order to use this you must be okay with allowing insects in your home before you eliminate them.
Pros:
- Great fly swatter alternative
- Can use without the need for a plug
- Portable size
Cons:
- Requires work and relatively close contact with insects
- Can be noisy
Best Outdoor Bug Zapper for Commercial Use
Dimensions: 9.5 x 9.5 x 20.38 inches| Type: Lantern | Coverage area: 2 acres | Power source: Plug-in | Grid voltage: 5,600
For super-sized insect problems, you need a super-sized bug zapper.
The Flowtron MC9000 is the ultimate bug-killing machine for use in your outdoor commercial area. With the perfect combination of exclusive reflector panels and octenol mosquito attractant, this Flowtron bug zapper is ecologically safe, effective, and economical.
The UV light and Fly Sex Lure (pheromones) attract mosquitoes, flies, and other light-sensitive flying pests, which are then instantly killed on contact with the 5600V patented non-clogging killing grid. Dead insects drop out of the bottom to be composted into the ground below.
With zero toxic chemicals or insecticides needed, the 2-acre outdoor bug zapper is the perfect choice for anywhere mosquitoes or flies are a threat to health and sanitation codes and the use of toxic chemicals is undesirable.
Pros:
- Durable stainless-steel grid
- Large 2-acre killing radius
- Self-cleaning design requires minimal maintenance
Cons:
- Not necessary for smaller spaces
Best Cordless Bug Zapper
Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.88 x 5.1 inches | Type: Lantern | Coverage area: 2,100 square feet | Power source: Solar | Grid voltage: 4,200
For those who don’t want to deal with staying plugged in, consider the Koosa Solar Bug Zapper. The cordless unit has a built-in solar panel that harnesses the power of the sun for wire-free operation.
The indoor bug zapper comes with batteries, so it’s ready to use as soon as it arrives, and it has two easy ways to charge – solar energy and most standard USB chargers. During the day, it charges up via built-in solar panels, and at night you can plug it into a USB port for up to three hours of use.
The downside of this compact, portable device is that the handle can become flimsy over time and the battery might not last you all night – even on a full charge.
Pros:
- Portable design
- Multiple ways to charge
- Adjustable brightness levels
Cons:
- Handle can become flimsy
- May not last all night
Best Non-Zapper
Dimensions: 14.5 x 15 x 5.25 inches | Type: Sconce | Coverage area: 1,200 square feet | Elimination method: Replaceable adhesive board
If zapping’s not your speed, you may want to consider the Flowtron FC4800. This indoor fly killer silently eliminates flying insects on a hidden, no-escape adhesive board.
With the perfect combination of ultraviolet blacklight energy and Flowtron’s exclusive fly-attracting pheromone (Sex Lure), this sleek insect-control solution is both effective and economical. Flies and other light-sensitive flying insects are drawn in by the UV light and sex lure and silently eliminated as they come in contact with the replaceable, strategically placed adhesive board.
The insect killer’s unobtrusive, appealing design seamlessly matches any décor and is perfect for anywhere flies are a threat and the use of chemical pesticides is undesirable.
Pros:
- Unobtrusive design
- Easily replaceable adhesive board
- Sure, silent capture
Cons:
Adhesive board requires maintenance
What to Consider When Choosing a Bug Zapper
Coverage Area
Some bug zappers offer a personal zone of protection, while others can keep an entire campground bug-free. When choosing your bug zapper, consider where you’ll be using it and how large of a coverage area you’ll need.
Indoor/Outdoor Usage
Is your insect problem localized within the home or outdoors? When choosing your electronic bug zapper, consider whether you need an indoor bug zapper or outdoor bug zapper to effectively target the area you need it the most.
Power Source
Are you planning to keep your zapper set up in the backyard, or to take it with you into the wilderness? Depending on your answer, you may need an electric bug zapper with a rechargeable option. If you’re able to plug in, consider energy efficiency and cord length. Otherwise, take battery life into account.
Durability
You need a bug zapper that is built to last, especially if it’s going to be hanging outside and braving the elements. Look for a bug zapper that is water-resistant, built from high-quality materials, and comes with a warranty in case of malfunction.
Effectiveness for Different Species
Is your problem with mosquitoes or flies? Both? When considering which bug zapper to purchase, look for one that will be effective with your specific pest problem – if it’s mosquitoes, zappers with octenol attractants are your best bet. For flies, you’re looking for fly pheromones and powerful lights.
Maintenance
A good bug zapper will get full of insects pretty quickly, so you’ll want one that’s easy to clean out regularly. With most units, you’ll also need to replace the bug zapper light eventually, so look for one that allows easy, tool-free swaps.
Final Thoughts
The best bug zappers will create a bug-free zone quickly, effectively, and safely, keeping your indoor or outdoor space pest-free for hours.
If you’re on the hunt for a great bug zapper, you can’t go wrong with the powerful, efficient zappers listed here, or any model by Flowtron, trusted leader in insect control since 1974.
