Summer is on its way, and so are the bugs. Given that many of us have been stuck indoors amidst the freezing temps of winter, there’s no doubt you’ll be basking in the sunshine, soaking up the vitamin D, and flinging open the windows as soon as possible. However, with all of this outdoor goodness comes bug badness, unless you have one of the best bug zappers.
As we prepare to congregate in the backyard and sip a brew or two without a care in the world, bugs are still very much a nuisance. Flies, bees, gnats and mosquitos buzz around as you eat your breakfast, chill by the pool, take a nap or try to settle down for the evening. They’re everywhere, and they’re annoying. Wanting these winged creatures to simply bug off extends far beyond summer, as they confidently continue to zip around well into November.
Bug zappers work through a rigid process of attraction and elimination. They’re a great way to control the bugs in your home for the following reasons:
- No mess – One of the best things about bug zappers is that they can be totally mess-free. The bugs are usually collected in a trap at the bottom of the device for easy emptying when it’s time to dispose of its victims. Some alternative styles of zappers, such as the ZAP IT! Bug Zapper, don’t have this feature, so if you’re using one inside the house then be sure to keep an eye on where the bug falls once zapped.
- No chemicals – Unlike many insecticides, bug zappers do not use chemicals to kill. They rely on electricity to execute and therefore are a chemical-free way to keep the area around it rid of bugs.
- No smell – Although citronella is a bug deterring scent enjoyed by many, not all bug sprays and candle smells are a welcome addition to the home. Bug zappers are a smell-free way to eliminate bugs. Other than the ultraviolet light which is designed to lure the bugs in, you’ll hardly notice they’re there.
Here are a few of the flyings bugs the best bug zappers can eliminate:
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- Flies
- Moths
- Bees
- Wasps
- Gnats
- Mosquitos
No one wants a summer of bugs, or even worse, bug bites. So, it’s time to get yourself a bug zapper to show those pests who’s boss. Buying one now will be a game-changer this summer and beyond. There are tons of different bug zapper options to choose from, so read on, and check out the 17 best bug zappers we could find.
1. GTOCS Bug Zapper
BEST OVERALL
With over 4,700 reviews and a 4.5-star customer rating, you can be confident in the capability of the GTOCS Bug Zapper. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, the lantern-like case enables 360-degree trapping and zapping. A useful hook is integrated into the top of the bug zapper to allow for easy carrying and hanging. Plus, the tray in the base enables a user-friendly emptying process when enough bugs have been collected.
2. Hywean Bug Zapper Light Bulbs, 2 Pack
BEST VALUE
Who would have ever thought that we’d be living in a world that could merge your average indoor ceiling lightbulb with the power of your go-to bug zapper? We never thought it was possible, but damn, we’re more than glad it is. If you have a serious bug problem inside that needs some extra attention, look no further than the Hywean’s Bug Zapper Light Bulb. It’s designed with three different functionalities depending on your needs — a dual bulb and zapper-on option, a bulb-off and zapper-on option, and a bulb-on and zapper-off option. Therefore, even if your bug issues come to an end, you can still use this bulb as a regular lightbulb in and around your home. When zapping, the bulb doesn’t trap bugs inside but instead releases them to the surface directly below through the slanted design in the bulb’s zap chamber.
3. ZAP IT! Bug Zapper
MOST FUN
We hate to say it because we kind of feel bad, but this thing is so much fun. Unlike the prior choices, there is zero luring involved with the ZAP IT! Bug Zapper. When you see a pest buzzing around nearby, simply hold the button down, swing in its direction and that sucker’s a goner. This bug zapper uses 4,000 volts to ensure each swing will be the first and last try for the bug you’re aiming to kill. The racket is safe to touch due to the exterior triple-layer safety mesh and because it’s only activated when the button is held down, you don’t have to worry about any kids or pets getting harmed. There is a super bright LED light for nighttime usage that will help you detect bugs more quickly, too.
4. Homesuit Bug Zapper
BEST COVERAGE
Looking for a bug zapper under $30 that’ll get the job done like any other bug-killing alternative? Then you need the Homesuit Bug Zapper. Like many others on the list, this zapper uses a 15W UV bulb to lure in any nearby insect only to immediately electrocute them upon their misguided arrival. Dead insects are collected inside the bottom tray, so it’s easy to clean when required. It’s great for indoor and outdoor use, covering an area up to 2100 sq. ft. Plus, as one of the smaller devices, it’s both portable and a handy option.
5. Faicuk Handheld Zapper Racket
BEST HANDHELD SET
The Faicuk Handheld Zapper Racket is ideal for having on hand in multiple areas of the home so you’re always armed and ready. With three layers of mesh, the racket is able to hit and zap bugs as soon as you swing the device in the right direction. An indicator light in the handle of the racket shows when it’s ready for use while the large, 35-inch head allows you to aim and hit as you would with a tennis racket. Powered by two AA batteries, Furthermore, the pack contains two rackets, each of which is powered by two AA batteries and can be used either indoors or outdoors.
6. Aspectek Upgraded Electronic Bug Zapper
BEST INDOOR/OUTDOOR
Having bug problems both in and outside of the house? Well, they’re no match for the Aspectek electronic bug zapper. Lure and kill flying insects in spots ranging from your living room to your backyard and get the same results every time. It’s simple to install and can either sit or hang from its metal chain. There is a plastic and removable tray at the very bottom for when you need to clean out the dead bugs. Like many of our other choices, it’s also completely safe to touch. Note: if you’re choosing to use this bug zapper outside, make sure you don’t leave it out in the rain because it is not waterproof.
8. KATCHY Indoor Insect Trap
BEST NON-ZAP
Maybe your problem isn’t outdoors, but indoors. As the weather cools down, some bugs look for an escape indoors where it’s warmer and drier. If you have fruit flies, gnats or mosquitoes invading your home, look no further than this indoor insect trap from KATCHY. While the trap isn’t necessarily a zapper, it still uses UV light to attract nearby bugs in the home. Then, when the bugs get close enough, the machine works to vacuum and trap them inside on sticky glue traps.
9. Livin’ Well Bug Zapper
BEST WEATHERPROOF
Though this isn’t the only weatherproof option on the list, the Livin’ Well bug zapper is certainly one of the most impressive. Should you wish, you can leave this zapper outside for years and trust that it will still work, no matter what the elements bring. Because it can sit in the rain and snow (note that it’s also flood-resistant) water won’t pile up anywhere inside the unit. The zapper lasts for around 8,000 hours, which is almost a full year of continuous use. While the device can stand on any flat surface, you’ll also find a hook built into the top for an additional hanging option. Plus, with a range of 1,500 feet, bugs will be drawn in from near and far.
10. Tysonir Electric Bug Zapper
MOST VERSATILE
Surrounded by a protective case, the Tysonir Bug Zapper keeps small fingers at a safe distance from the central 15-watt bulb. The bright blue, ultraviolet light lures in bugs and uses 3800V-4200V to zap them instantly upon contact. A tray at the bottom of the bug zapper allows for easy emptying and disposal as and when required. The zapper works both indoors or out and covers up to 860 square feet, it can be placed almost anywhere.
11. TOMPOL Bug Zapper
HONORABLE MENTION
Thanks to its case with holes that are big enough for bugs to pass through while small enough to keep pets and children safe, the TOMPOL Bug Zapper is a great option for the average family home. It has a 15-watt bulb capable of a 4200-volt electric shock which instantly brings down nearby pests. Plus, not only is the bulb powerful, it has an extremely long service life of up to 30,000 hours.
12. FVOAI Mosquito Trap
COOLEST DESIGN
While we’re chit-chatting about non-zap bug “zappers,” we couldn’t leave out this futuristic-looking bug trapping design from FVOAI. This bug trapper works to lure and vacuum bugs to make them latch onto an interior sticky trap, using a zero-zapping mechanism. It’s a super-powerful and very effective alternative to a bug zapper thanks to its alluring light source and 360-degree design. The trap also features two timer options which can run for either six or 12 hours. When it’s time for cleaning, simply remove the bottom half and replace the sticky trap with a new one.
13. BRISON Plug-In Bug Zapper
BEST PLUG-IN
These BRISON Plug-In Bug Zappers are compact and suitable for use all around your home to provide house-wide coverage. Simply plug them into a wall socket and let them get to work. The set includes a brush for cleaning down the zappers once they’ve been dealt with. They can also be ordered in packs of one, two or four so you can select the correct amount required for your home. The UV light which shines through the lightning bolt casing is able to attract bugs from up to 500 square feet in every direction. And, considering each device is only 2.9 by 4.7 inches in size, they pack a lot of power in a little space.
14. Flowtron Electronic Insect Killer
BEST OUTDOOR
The Flowtron Insect Killer lures bugs within a one-acre radius, zapping them instantly with its 15-watt bulb. Designed strictly for outdoor use, it leaves your surroundings uncontaminated by pesticides, while this maintenance-free eliminates flying insects. It additionally contains an optional Octenol cartridge to attract and increase effectiveness.
15. BLACK + DECKER Bug Zapper
The Black + Decker Bug Zapper lures and eliminates bugs to 6,000 square feet. It contains two 10-watt bulbs and a grid with 2,400 volts of power to kill flying bugs on contact. Created with a versatile design, it can be mounted to your wall or hung with the included ring and chain.
16. BLACK+DECKER Outdoor Bug Zapper
BEST-LOOKING ZAPPER
The drawback of keeping bug zappers in and around your house is that the majority of the time, they’re rather unsightly. Though occasionally some lighting fixtures can bring a certain level of ambiance to your home, it doesn’t always help. Bug zappers are simply ugly. Thankfully, that’s not the case with this outdoor bug zapper from BLACK+DECKER. It has the same luring and killing capabilities as your average bug zapper but foregoes the unsightly exterior. This bug zapper uses a non-toxic, UV-light for luring pests and has an easy-to-clean, pull-out tray for when it’s time to get rid of the collection insect carcasses. This is a reliable bug zapping unit to leave outside your home for constant use or take on your next family camping trip.
17. LiBa Bug Zapper
BEST SPLURGE
Each order of the LiBa Bug Zapper comes with two large Lbug zappers as well as four extra replacement bulbs. The dual 2800-volt bulbs, which are housed inside each zapper, enable both powerful bug attraction and elimination. This zapper is ideal for mounting in the kitchen or bedroom, providing a bug-free environment while you cook or sleep. Handily, these indoor-only zappers feature an integrated chain at the top which can be used for carrying or hanging.