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Keep flies and gnats off of you and your food, indoors and out.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Instead, its better to use anEPA-approved repellent, reduce exposed skin, or hang nearan oscillating fan.
After nearly three weeks of use, we identified four worth investing in.
The power cord is relatively short, so you may need to employ the help of an extension cord.
Credit: Amazon
Our pick for the best bug zapper is theFlowtron BK-40D Electric Bug Zapper.
When using this product outside, we didnt 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.
The cord was on the shorter side, so you may need to use an extension cord.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Wendy Vazquez
Its relatively quiet, however, emitting a more subtle zapping sound.
Other products we tested, like the theAspectek Electric Insect Killeror werent as quiet.
And since the bottom of the equipment is vented, theres no worry about dealing with cleanup.
Those with young children may want to be wary about safety.
We were also impressed by the sturdy feel and weight of the gadget, which was easy to swing.
We found that it was effective against larger insects, too, such as wasps.
Others are plastic and multi-layered, limiting effectiveness to smaller bugs.
We used this indoor bug zapper in a basement where the door to the outside gets left open frequently.
But perhaps the best part is the tray that runs the length of the product, spanning 15.6 inches.
Its also extremely easy to clean, as it just slips out and back in again.
The zaps are pretty loud, too.
It should be hung 6 feet above the ground and 25 feet away from people.
you’ve got the option to even spot them in barns and stables.
In other words, this is a heavyweight, durable item built to last.
However, it wasnt so loud that we could hear it when we were indoors.
The light itself is super bright at nightso 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.
It doubles down on the attractant factor with the addition of slow-releasing octenol cartridges and UV lights.
Its also relatively quiet, and it was easy to clean.
Our testers did not live near any of thecicada broodsexpected to emerge.
But Frye prefers light-based traps for most pests.
In some prefs, light-based traps can be very effective, he says.
However, battery-powered and rechargeable options are also available.
I think personal preference will influence what features someone looks for in a gadget.
Larger devices with more light output will attract more insects versus small plug-in devices, Frye says.
Most handheld devicessuch asThe ExecutionerandFaicuk Racketrequire 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.
“But in relation to the average unit for domestic use, you’ll need one per room.”
If youre looking for an outdoor-approved product, always be sure to keep an eye out for weatherproof materials.
Credit: Amazon
And for the perceived durability (it even arrived scratched while in transit), its quite overpriced.
Its still impressive, especially the respectable 1,500-square-foot effective radius, and one of the quietest we tried.
Its smaller and lightweight, which means we could easily bring it along on picnics and day outings.
This handheld bug zapper is shaped like a tennis racket, so it’s easy to swat at bugs.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Steph Hunter
Entomologist-Approved Indoor Traps
Even entomologists can agree that certain insects can be nuisances.
I have two small plug-in fly lights in my house.
), she shares.
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, venture to avoid using it in your kitchen.
Do bug zappers work on flies and mosquitoes?
Frost suggests installing fly screens on the windows to minimize flies in the house.
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.
People should be aware that they might have to replace bulbs if they notice lower trap captures.
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed ourBHG Recommends seal of approval.
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
Insect Attractants and Traps.University of Florida IFAS Extension.
Credit: Amazon
This electric bug zapper powered on easily by turning on the power switch.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock
Credit: Amazon
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
