The Victors of Our Top Bug Zapper Trials

With summer in full swing and more time spent outside late into the evening, bug zappers can help you focus on kicking back and relaxing, rather than swatting at flies and gnats to keep them off yourselves and the cookout.

Nearly all of the bug zappers we tried relied on UV light to attract and trap insects with an electrified grid—aside from one handheld electric device, that is. And while the testing consensus was that these do work, it’s important to note that they aren’t a better alternative to bug sprays or spatial repellents.

In fact, Matt Frye, senior extension associate of New York State’s Integrated Pest Management program at Cornell University, stresses it’s imperative to pinpoint exactly what pest you have the biggest grudge with before figuring out how to target its removal.

“If someone wants to avoid bites from mosquitoes, traditional bug zappers will be largely ineffective at achieving this goal,” he warns, adding that’s because most species aren’t attracted to light alone. Instead, it’s better to use an EPA-approved repellent, reduce exposed skin, or hang near an oscillating fan.

Wizzie Brown, an entomology professor at Texas A&M, pointed to multiple reports that reveal “bug zappers typically kill more beneficial insects than they do pests.” However, she also shares, “If people insist on getting bug zappers, I recommend not placing near where people are sitting or eating.”

What We Tested

We tried out seven different lanterns, rackets, and screens and assessed their efficacy based on the accuracy of the power radius, ease of maintenance, and the noticeable reduction of flying insects during the trial period. After nearly three weeks of use, we identified four worth investing in.

Our pick for the best bug zapper is the Flowtron BK-40D Electric Bug Zapper. Right out of the box, we were immediately impressed by the quality construction and weighty feel of the metal framing and waterproof housing—and an instant reduction of gnats and mosquitoes in a half-acre area, which is typically flooded with pests. When using this product outside, we didn’t get bitten by any insects.

This bug zapper combines 40 watts of high-intensity ultraviolet black light and 30 days’ worth of slow-releasing octenol cartridges. Octenol is a chemical that mimics human breath, luring pests in and eliminating them thanks to a supercharged 5,600-volt grid (the same power used by a heavier-duty version of the brand, listed below).

It’s relatively quiet, however, emitting a more subtle zapping sound. Other products we tested, like the Aspectek Electric Insect Killer or weren’t as quiet.

And since the bottom of the device is vented, there’s no worry about dealing with cleanup. For the inner grid, we cleaned it with an old, thickly bristled brush to the surface every other day, but we could have easily gone longer in between cleaning sessions.

Product Details: Type: Hanging | Power Source: Electric | Radius: 1 acre | Dimensions: 8.5×8.5×13.5 inches | Weight: 4.8 pounds

Key Terms to Know

UV: Bug zappers use ultraviolet light, as pests seem to gravitate towards artificial illumination more than any other source, although some research shows it simply disorientates a number of flying insects like flies and moths.

LED: LED stands for light emitting diode; it’s considered to be a more energy efficient source.

Octenol: In addition to light, some bug zappers include the addition of pesticides or chemicals like octenol (it’s an attractant that mimics human breath) to lure mosquitoes and biting flies.

If you’re tired of absently swinging a plastic flyswatter and the cleanup one requires after successfully landing a blow on unwanted pests, the Executioner Electronic Bug Zapper is the modern-day improvement you need. This racket is the definition of a fly swatter upgrade for targeted, localized control (and no mess to deal with afterward).

To power it up, simply insert two AA batteries and turn on the switch (an LED light on the handle shines red to let you know it’s working). After several uses during a camping trip in northern Minnesota forests (which we would describe as “bugs galore this time of year”), we never encountered any low battery issues.

We were also impressed by the sturdy feel and weight of the device, which was easy to swing. Anytime the bug zapper came in contact with bugs, there was a brief burst of light and a loud zap before the target fell loosely to the ground.

We found that it was effective against larger insects, too, such as wasps. The biggest difference between this handheld option compared to others on the market is the single layer of an electrical grid. Others are plastic and multi-layered, limiting effectiveness to smaller bugs.

We did notice there was a slight discoloration in certain spots of the steel net where it met gnats, mosquitoes, and flies. Our tester also had to have a discussion with her children to stress it isn’t a toy, and the electrified wires could be dangerous.

This product is a bit of an anomaly on the list as it doesn’t use light or any other stimulant to attract bugs, which we like. You can pick and choose what to attack, rather than zapping all the insects in your area.

Product Details: Type: Handheld | Power Source: Battery | Radius: Varies | Dimensions: 8.5×8.5×13.5 inches | Weight: 0.25 pounds

Keep in Mind

It’s not exactly the most attractive tech you can stick in your home—the large, boxy size and open grill design is a bit of an eyesore by our standards (but that doesn’t make it any less effective).

If you’re fed up with being inundated by swarms of flies and bugs every time you crack a window for a little fresh air, you will love this machine. Bigger than your average home bug zapper and often used commercially, the Aspectek Electric Insect Killer is ideal for those looking for an indoor-safe option.

It looks a bit like a heater and has two extra-large UV bulb tubes going across its length that are just too tempting for any flying bug to resist (it even includes a replacement bulb for free).

With its effective radius of up to 6,000 square feet, this 20-watt device is ideal for large, open-plan areas, especially kitchens or anywhere where flying insects are a nuisance. We used this indoor bug zapper in a basement where the door to the outside gets left open frequently.

As a freestanding machine, we kept it on the counter, but the built-in chain can also hang it on a wall. Originally, we hoped to place it on the ledge of a windowsill, but the cord couldn’t quite reach the outlet on its own.

But perhaps the best part is the tray that runs the length of the product, spanning 15.6 inches. It’s also extremely easy to clean, as it just slips out and back in again. The zaps are pretty loud, too.

Product Details: Type: Freestanding or hanging | Power Source: Electric | Radius: 6,000 square feet | Dimensions: 15x3x10.6 inches | Weight: 3.9 pounds

Why You Should Get It

For larger backyards, especially those located near heavily wooded areas or water, this heavy-duty device can create an invisible barrier around your favorite outdoor hanging spot.

As far as bug zappers go, this is one of the most powerful you can buy. The Flowtron MC9000 Xterminator Residential Bug Fighter is the type of machine used in commercial kitchens, butcher shops, and event spaces for weddings or large parties. You can even spot them in barns and stables.

In other words, this is a heavyweight, durable item built to last. In fact, during a particularly brutal thunderstorm, strong gusts of wind knocked it off the shepherd’s hook we hung it on, but it didn’t dent or impact its efficacy.

Weighing in at 13 pounds, it creates a fly-free zone across a 2-acre space thanks to two octenol cartridges and two 40-watt ultraviolet bulbs, relieving you and your guests of having to swat flies away from your food or faces constantly.

We placed it on a tall shepherd hook outdoors, about 25 feet from their typical gathering spot in the backyard (this was due to the brand’s instructions, which note that since insects are attracted to our respiration, the bugs need to go to the device rather than yourself). Unlike others, there is no bug collection tray in this USA-made machine as all dead insects simply fall to the ground.

We can also confirm this bug zapper’s power, as the zapping sounds were loud enough to hear when working outdoors. However, it wasn’t so loud that we could hear it when we were indoors.

Mosquitoes, flies, moths, wasps, carpenter bees, and more were efficiently eliminated with this bug zapper. The light itself is super bright at night—so much so that it illuminated the yard we tested it in. This can be solved by turning it off at night or setting it on a timer.

Product Details: Type: Hanging | Power Source: Electric | Radius: 2 acres | Dimensions: 9.5×9.5×20.38 inches | Weight: 13 pounds

The Bottom Line

The Flowtron BK-40D Electric Bug Zapper is our pick for the best overall bug zapper. It doubles down on the attractant factor with the addition of slow-releasing octenol cartridges and UV lights. It’s also relatively quiet, and it was easy to clean.

Our Testing Process

When testing the best bug zappers, we evaluated each one based on how easy it was to assemble as well as its quality and effectiveness in reducing the presence of pests.

All of our testers who participated had never used a bug zapper before and were residents of the Midwest, where conditions were rainy and stormy between the months of May and June this year—the perfect breeding ground for hordes of insects ahead of peak infestation times.

We will continue to test the bug zappers over the next three months to determine how well they perform over time.

Our testers did not live near any of the cicada broods expected to emerge.

What to Know About Bug Zappers Before Shopping

Type

“Zappers utilize an electrified grid to kill insects, whereas other light traps either catch insects in a sealed chamber or on a glue board,” Frye explains. On our list, all of the bug zappers rely on some form of an electric grid to eliminate bugs. Some need to be hung, whereas others are freestanding or even handheld (controlled by the accuracy of your own swing, of course).

But Frye prefers light-based traps for most pests. “In some settings, light-based traps can be very effective,” he says. “For example, if light-attracted insects enter someone’s home at night, light traps can be used to capture those insects overnight if other lights are shut off, windows are closed, and light from traps is not visible from the outside,” he explains.

Power Source

Most commonly, bug zappers are corded and need to be plugged into an outlet to work. However, battery-powered and rechargeable options are also available.

“I think personal preference will influence what features someone looks for in a device. Do they want something running on batteries that have to be replaced versus a device that can be plugged in? Larger devices with more light output will attract more insects versus small plug-in devices,” Frye says.

Most handheld devices—such as The Executioner and Faicuk Racket—require AA batteries. However, more powerful, hanging zappers rely on an electrical outlet to power up their grids.

Effective Radius

Bug zappers should be able to cover a decent radius. The area that each bug zapper can cover is usually written in the product’s descriptions, but as a general rule, the larger the machine and the more wattage it has, the more area it will be able to cover.

"A bug zapper’s effective radius depends on the size of the machine," says Andrew Frost, founder of Wild Things Pest Solutions. "But in relation to the average unit for domestic use, you’ll need one per room."

In testing, we found that a surefire way to keep bug populations down in a nearby vicinity was to go with a product that promised to cover a larger area. Our overall pick, the Flowtron BK-40D Electric Bug Zapper, is rated for one acre, but was extremely efficient for a half-acre outdoor space.

Design and Use

"Looks-wise, bug zappers are not the prettiest machines around and people tend not to want them on display," Frost says. Rather than

"The design of EFKs has improved somewhat over the decades and you can now find many that are small and inconspicuous or have a contemporary chrome and steel look."

If you’re looking for an outdoor-approved product, always be sure to keep an eye out for weatherproof materials. The Flowtron MC9000 Xterminator Residential Bug Fighter, for instance, fell off its hook during a particularly bad storm and still worked without worry.

Other Bug Zappers We Tested

Livin’ Well Bug Zapper

Powered by a 6-foot electrical cord, we hung the Livin’ Well Bug Zapper on a plant hook on a deck but worried its plastic construction wouldn’t hold up in the elements. And for the perceived durability (it even arrived scratched while in transit), it’s quite overpriced. While effective, there’s no way to clean the interior of the device where some insects remain stuck to the electrical grid. It’s still impressive, especially the respectable 1,500-square-foot effective radius, and one of the quietest we tried.

Faicuk Handheld Bug Zapper Racket Electric Fly Swatter

Consider the Faicuk Handheld Bug Zapper Racket Electric Fly Swatter a budget version of the Executioner (but in a “you get what you pay for” kind of way). This was initially one of our favorites based on its design, but after testing, it didn’t hold a flame to our handheld pick. It’s smaller and lightweight, which means we could easily bring it along on picnics and day outings.

Entomologist-Approved Indoor Traps

Even entomologists can agree that certain insects can be nuisances. In her own home, Brown employs the help of light traps to take care of unwanted guests like fungus gnats or fruit flies.

“I have two small plug-in fly lights in my house. One is near my house plants and the other by the back door where I let dogs in and out all day (squirrels!),” she shares. “Typically, these fly lights don’t zap but have a glue board behind the light that will trap any insects that fly into the light.”

For bug problems that make their way indoors, these traps below compliment zappers to create a total bug-free zone (albeit a more humane method):

Your Questions, Answered

Can you use bug zappers indoors?

According to Frye, no is the short answer, but that doesn’t mean there are zero options safe enough to be brought indoors.

“There is research showing that electrocutor light traps release bacteria and other pathogens contained within or on the body of the flying insects,” Frye says. “This makes the devices inappropriate for certain parts of the home, such as kitchens where food is prepared.”

If you have to use one indoors, try to avoid using it in your kitchen. For indoor use, we recommend a device that’s quiet and not too bright, such as the Aspectek for larger areas. But if you have just a small room you need to treat, one of the light traps, such as the Zevo M4, might be better.

Do bug zappers work on flies and mosquitoes?

"Bug zappers are predominantly used for flies, but they work just as well on all types of flying insects," Frost says. Frost suggests installing fly screens on the windows to minimize flies in the house. "This way, you can still keep your windows open without letting in hundreds of flies and mosquitoes," Frost adds.

For mosquitoes, Frye argues there are more effective methods to reduce the population of blood-sucking insects on your property, especially since they aren’t attracted to lights as much as other species.

“People can take steps to reduce mosquito breeding on their property (eliminate standing water in containers, clogged gutters, etc.), use an effective repellent (see US EPA website), reduce exposed skin with long clothing, and rely on exclusion techniques like screen houses or oscillating fans to minimize contact with biting insects,” he explains.

What kind of light do bug zappers use?

Most of the products on our list use either UV or LED light. There are many theories as to why insects are attracted to UV light. One of the most popular is that, since flowers have nectar and flower petals reflect UV light from the sun, insects are drawn to UV light because they think that’s where the food is.

Another is that UV light has a shorter wavelength than regular light which attracts night-flying insects that cannot see other types of light. For this reason, Frost informs us that "bug zappers predominantly use UV light technology with shatterproof UV tubes."

However, as technology evolves, many companies are starting to introduce new LED light zappers, especially for commercial settings, as they increase longevity. “It’s worth noting that some UV light bulbs lose their output over time and can become less attractive to insects,” adds Frye. “People should be aware that they might have to replace bulbs if they notice lower trap captures.”

Who We Are

Morgan Bulman, a senior writer for Better Homes & Gardens, has been covering every facet of the home—indoors and out—for nearly six years. For this article, she analyzed the insights from our bug zapper tests and spoke with the following experts:

• Matt Frye, senior extension associate of New York State’s Integrated Pest Management program at Cornell University
• Wizzie Brown, an entomology professor at Texas A&M

What is BHG Recommends?

Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they’re worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn’t an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.