Best bug zappers to keep insects at bay, tried and tested (2024)

Best bug zappers to keep insects at bay, tried and tested (1)

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Abha Shah @brimfulofashah7 December 2023

Have you ever thought an insect just had it in for you?

There you are, trying to enjoy a pint in the pub garden, or innocently tucking into dinner in front of the telly, and a rogue wasp, fly, mosquito or daddy long legs simply will not give you a moment’s peace. At some point or another, we’ve all been there, and we know one of the three following things are likely to happen.

  1. Stick to your humane beliefs and repeatedly try to shoo it away.
  2. Abandon ship and let the insect terrorist run wild and victorious.
  3. Give in to your natural killer instinct and obliterate them once and for all.

If you’re at the end of your tether - i.e: resolutely at option 3 - there’s nothing for it but to find a deterrent that has flies buzzing off for good.

While there are sprays to get rid of many common household pests, a device like a zapper means you’re not wiping highly toxic chemicals all over your house - a welcome element if you share a roof with kids or pets who tend to lick things.

The most common design that will spring to mind will be the one that looks like a tennis racket, but some options can go on the wall and other contraptions that require nothing more than a simple plug-in.

The zapper you go for will very much depend on your use, be it inside or outside the home or a weird in-between, like the shed, conservatory or even to take with you on your next camping adventure.

If you’ve had about as much as you can take from flying insects, we’ve rounded up the best bug zapping gadgets to help you stop feeling like you’re being eaten alive.

Shop the selection below

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Basket Electric Fly Swatter

Best bug zappers to keep insects at bay, tried and tested (6)

Amazon

Take fly swatting to the next level with this zapper racket, which runs on two AA batteries to get rid of your insect issue once and for all. Switch it on and the racket weave is live immediately, charged with 1500 volts to defeat irritating bugs. As it doesn’t require mains power, you can easily pack this swatter into luggage to take on holidays or day trips away.

Buy now£5.19, Amazon

PluieSoleil Indoor Electrical Insect Fly Killer

Best bug zappers to keep insects at bay, tried and tested (7)

PluieSoleil

Flies outside in nature, one can handle. Indoors? They’ll drive you to distraction. Clear your home of pests with this high-voltage (2400V) lamp, which emits ultraviolet rays to attract unwanted flying insects within 80sqm before killing them instantly. The plug-in lamp comes with a hanging chain, which you can use to suspend it from the ceiling or walls. It comes with a removable tray to make cleaning out the slain insects a much easier job.

Buy now£29.99, Amazon

ASAB Portable Plug In Bug Zapper

Best bug zappers to keep insects at bay, tried and tested (8)

ASAB

It is some kind of fresh hell trying to sleep when mozzies are in the vicinity. Whether you have nets to protect you or not, adding a plug-in bug zapper adds an extra element to your arsenal that few of the little blighters - including fruit flies and moths - will be able to get through. This high-voltage electric plug uses UV lights to lure in insects and kill them off, promising to last more than 20,000 hours to keep your home bug-free.

Buy now£14.99, Amazon

Sendowtek Mosquito Killer Lamp

Best bug zappers to keep insects at bay, tried and tested (9)

Sendowtek

A big reason people steer clear of camping is the sheer number of bugs. While you can’t do much about the ones outside of the tent - you are in nature, after all - taking care of your inner sanctum is much less of a hassle thanks to this mosquito-killer lamp. This rechargeable device is your new camping companion, emitting powerful UV rays to draw in and kill flies. A plastic ABS safety casing stops accidental touches to the 500V of power and you can even adjust the brightness through three modes making it perfectly useable as a camping lantern.

Buy now£22.99, Amazon

Kingfisher Bat Bug Zapper

Best bug zappers to keep insects at bay, tried and tested (10)

Kingfisher

Trying to wean yourself or your kids off screen time? A tennis racket-shaped zapper turns slaying flies into a real game as you work to clear your space of the annoying pests. This one runs on two AA batteries and sends controlled currents into meshwork to zap them dead. Game, set, match.

Buy now£7.99, Robert Dyas

Insect-O-Cutor Aura Fly Killer 22W Black

Best bug zappers to keep insects at bay, tried and tested (11)

Insect-O-Cutor

No one is claiming that fly swatters are the nicest-looking things to have in the house, so when you find one that's been designed with a modicum of style, it's bound to turn heads. This one is designed for use in dining establishments, clearing areas of up to 40sqm by attracting pests with a unique circular design. It's perfect for outside use, especially for those who love throwing garden parties and BBQs.

Buy now£199.98, Tool Station

Pest-Stop Plug-in Insect Fly Killer

Best bug zappers to keep insects at bay, tried and tested (12)

Pest-Stop

Skip bug spray napalm and get the power of LEDs to do all the dirty work instead. This plug-in killer is made for eco-friendly pest control: simply stick it into a socket and it will pull the flies in, keeping your space bug-free. For best results, put this in a super dark corner so no other light sources can obstruct it from its mission.

Buy now£11.99, Robert Dyas

Zap It! Electric Fly Swatter - Rechargeable Fly Zapper

Best bug zappers to keep insects at bay, tried and tested (13)

Zap it!

This device offers a two-pronged approach to irritating house flies. First, the super bright LED pulls them in towards the racket before the electrified 4000v mesh net fells them like a scythe. This twin pack will make a great addition to your camping kit and stop you from feeling like you’re being eaten alive when out in nature or by water. No batteries are required either; simply charge via the USB port and you’re ready to go.

Buy now£28.99, Amazon

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Best bug zappers to keep insects at bay, tried and tested (2024)

FAQs

Best bug zappers to keep insects at bay, tried and tested? ›

PluieSoleil Indoor Electrical Insect Fly Killer

What is the best bug zapper that works? ›

Best Overall, Outdoor

Designed for outdoor use, the Flowtron BK-40D Electronic Insect Killer uses a high-intensity UV light bulb to attract pests from as far as an acre away. Mosquitoes, biting flies, and other annoying bugs are zapped immediately on the electrified grid.

Why do people not use bug zappers anymore? ›

They simply do not work as advertised. In fact, bug zappers actually make things worse by attracting more mosquitoes into your yard, and they end up killing thousands of beneficial insects that don't bother people. Be wary of zappers that market carbon dioxide as an attractant, too.

Do bug zappers keep bugs away? ›

Unfortunately, bug zappers are a little too good to be true. While they do eliminate hundreds of pests, they tend to only attract the most beneficial pests for your lawn, garden, and home. Mosquitoes are not generally attracted to bug zappers, and some insects – like co*ckroaches – do not typically fly towards them.

Is there a way to test a bug zapper? ›

Do a zap test by securing a small wad of paper towel to the end of a WOODEN OR PLASTIC stick with a rubber band and moistening only the piece of towel. Poke the stick in through the first zap screen, and you should get a zap. Unplug the zapper and DON'T PLAY WITH IT.

What is the difference between blue and purple bug zapper? ›

Blue bug zappers typically emit light in the range of 400-500 nanometers, which is more attractive to flying insects such as mosquitoes and flies. On the other hand, purple bug zappers emit light in the range of 365-395 nanometers, which is more attractive to crawling insects such as bed bugs and co*ckroaches.

Are all bugs attracted to bug zappers? ›

Bug zappers are good for attracting insects that are attracted to bug zappers,” Leslie Vosshall, a neurobiology professor at the Rockefeller University, told us. This often doesn't include mosquitoes or any other biting insects.

What insects are killed by bug zappers? ›

A variety of insects can be found swarming around your lights at night, and it is many of these such bugs that Zappers specifically target, including:
  • Moths.
  • Flies.
  • Mayflies.
  • Beetles.
  • Mosquitoes.
  • And more!

Do bug zappers really work on mosquitoes? ›

Mosquitoes are not fooled by zappers because, along with other bloodsucking insects, they have evolved to home in on animals' exhaled carbon dioxide, not ultraviolet light, scientists say.

What kills mosquitoes instantly? ›

Use an indoor insect fogger or indoor insect spray to kill mosquitoes and treat areas where they rest. These products work immediately, and may need to be reapplied. When using insecticides, always follow label directions.

What plant do mosquitoes hate the most? ›

Marigolds (Tagetes) are commonly grown in the garden as a way to deter insects and other pests. French varieties, like Durango Mixture French marigold, are the most effective at repelling mosquitoes from mid-spring through late summer.

What repels mosquitoes? ›

Use insect repellent
  • DEET.
  • Picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the US)
  • IR3535.
  • Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
  • Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
  • 2-undecanone.

Is the Dynatrap better than the bug zapper? ›

Zappers are effective and they certainly work, but Dynatrap wins the comparison thanks to its effective attractant capabilities and safe trapping of flying insects to be disposed of later.

Why isn t my bug zapper zapping bugs? ›

My zapper doesn't appear to be zapping

Your zapper's grids may be clogged with dead bugs or debris, resulting in a reduced ability to generate high voltage.

What is the best place to put an electronic bug zapper? ›

Position your bug zapper away from outdoor dining areas, open windows and doors. The best location for your bug zapper is on a balcony awning, in a tree or hanging post, away from where you spend time outdoors.

How many watts is a good bug zapper? ›

Typically, an insect zapper uses between 5W and 40W. All Jackery solar generators can easily power it so that you can choose one according to your budget and needs.

Which is better LED or fluorescent bug zapper? ›

LED insect killers typically outlast their fluorescent UV counterparts in terms of lifespan. Due to their extended lifespan, LED lights are more convenient for their consumers because they require fewer replacements. The overall efficiency and longevity of LED insecticides benefit from this feature.

Is black light or white light better for bug zapper? ›

Black lights. Ultraviolet or near-ultraviolet “black lights” (the lights in “bug zappers”, but without the electronic grid) are highly attractive to many night-flying moths, beetles and other insect and insect relatives. Light traps are commercially-available through entomological supply catalogs or sources.

What is the best outdoor mosquito killer? ›

DynaTrap DT1050-AZSR Mosquito, Beetle & Flying Insect Trap

This trap offers the recommended 1/2 acre of protection with three forms of defense: UV light, TiO2 coating and a quiet fan.

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