Say goodbye to bug bites forever.
Country Living editors select each product featured. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us? Gnat Light Trap
While there's much to love about summer, there's one seasonal annoyance that we just can't escape: bugs. Living in Alabama, our editors know a thing or two about seasonal pests — and how to get rid of them. We're all for decking our gardens in mosquito-repelling plants and being prepared for how to treat a bug bite, but few things do the job at getting rid of bugs as well as a good ole bug zapper. After all, is there anything more satisfying than hearing the occasional zap of your arch nemesis's demise?
We reviewed and tested the best bug zappers from top brands like Flowtron, Black Flag, and more, to bring you this round up. Tested right here in our own backyards in the midst of the summer bug frenzy, these zappers faced quite the challenge, and most bugs did not survive. Below, you'll find the zappers that came out on top.
Conquer those pests once and for all:
Coverage area: 1 acre | Power source: Electrical outlet
If you're looking for a traditional, no-frills bug zapper that'll get the job done, look no further than this Flowtron option. Simply plug it in and listen to those flying insects meet their demise. This bug zapper includes an octenol packet to lure mosquitoes in, though it will need to be replaced every month. In addition to the octenol, the blue UV light also brings all the bugs to your yard.
The Flowtron bug zapper has plenty of protection to keep children and animals safe. The safety cage is inches away from the electrical current, so there's no need to worry about little ones sticking their fingers inside. It also includes a non-clogging grid that'll quickly removes dead bugs so your zapper can continue to work at full capacity.
There are two downsides with this bug zapper, though. First, the electrical cord is only three feet, meaning it's barely long enough to hang it any height off the ground. You'll definitely want to use an extension cord with this one. You'll also want to hang this zapper away from where people might congregate as it doesn't include an insect tray. As the bugs die, they'll fall straight to the ground, and you don't want anyone in that line of fire.
Positive review: "I've owned this product for over a year now (452 days according to Alexa). I live in coastal Georgia in the country, so think 'lots of bugs'... Since I like to spend evenings on my back patio I placed the unit near the back fence, probably 60 to 80 feet from the rear of the house. The immediate result was a significant reduction in six legged varmints attracted to the back lit windows. The first several weeks were a continuous chorus of flying fiends frying. I noticed a reduction of pests within a week of installation."
The Flowtron bug zapper at editor Hannah Jones's house.
The short cord on the Flowtron zapper.
Coverage area: A few feet | Power source: N/A
While there are bug zappers intended for indoor use, I wouldn't recommend using one. For starters, you'll be left with both the sounds and smells of a bug zapper inside your home, which is less than pleasant. Not to mention, most of these bug zappers are large and not aesthetically pleasing in the least. Finally, there's a good chance you'll be left cleaning up some dead bugs inside your home, no matter how good the catching system is on the zapper.
Instead, I'd recommend going with the Wondercide Flying Insect Trap. Similar to a bug zapper, it uses a blue light to attract flying insects, but instead of using electrical shock, it has a secret sticky trap. Once insects land on it, they'll be unable to fly away. Just replace the sticky trap every few weeks and call it a day.
I love using this flying insect trap in my own kitchen because I can place it near spots where gnats and fruit flies frequent (like my sink and fruit bowl) and it lures the pests away from these locations and straight to the trap. It's unobtrusive and barely noticeable, except at night when all the lights are out. And it doesn't emit any loud noises or nasty smells. I'd rather place one of these in every room of my house than ever deal with a massive indoor bug zapper.
But, that does bring me to the one major negative of this trap: it has a very small coverage area. I use two of these in my kitchen (next to frequent breeding grounds for drain and fruit flies), and it's a pretty small space. I'd need quite a few to cover my entire 1,600 square foot home. However, the main area of my house that I really have a flying insect problem is the kitchen, so I this isn't a huge issue for me personally.
The Wondercide bug trap in editor Hannah Jones's kitchen.
Coverage area: 1/2 acre | Power source: Electric
No bug zapper is going to attract mosquitos on its own — you're going to need a CO2 or octenal lure for that. Fortunately, this bug zapper includes an octenal lure right in the package that clips directly onto the zapper, so get ready to watch those blood-sucking beasts meet their demise.
Since it does have a UV light, it'll also easily lure in tons of other flying pests that frequent your yard. The grid is quick to clean and the catch tray at the bottom removes easily to get rid of all the dead bugs. The weatherproof material stands up to rain, wind, and much more, making this an outdoor-approved zapper.
One thing to note about this zapper, though: it's electric, not solar-powered, so you'll need to place it close to your home or wire it through a low-traffic area. The electric cord is fairly short, so you'll almost definitely need to use an extension cord.
Positive review: "The Black Flag Bug Zapper has been an absolute game-changer for my yard! Living in an area with a high mosquito population, I was constantly struggling to enjoy my outdoor spaces without being bombarded by these pesky insects. However, since I got the Black Flag Bug Zapper, the mosquito population in my yard has nearly been reduced to zero."
Coverage area: 1/2 acre | Power source: Solar
Out of all the bug zappers on this list, this is definitely the most attractive option. The flame-like light attracts bugs and zaps them immediately. We prefer these bug zappers to tiki torches because not only do they work better, but you also don't have to worry about an open-flame around kids and pets.
You can secure the light to stakes or atop a table or post. These bug zappers are solar powered and can last up to six hours on a full charge, so you won't need to worry about bugs creeping back in during a long night out. The weather-proof construction makes them incredibly maintenance, other than the occasional need to clean the insect tray.
The only downsides we could find with this bug zapper are that it doesn't include an octenol packet and the blue UV light is pretty small, so it's not the best at luring in bugs. However, you could easily add an octenol packet onto the exterior to do the job. It also has a small insect collection tray, so while it could probably go a few days without emptying, we wouldn't recommend pushing it much more than that.
I've used these solar torches on my deck for over a year now and have gotten so many compliments. To be honest, it's hard to even tell that the torches are actually bug zappers at first glance. Most people just assume they're outdoor lights. They don't emit any sounds or smells, adding to the inconspicuousness. We've had more than a few bouts of severe weather and the solar torches haven't suffered any damage, so I can attest to their durability, as well.
The Solar Insect Killer Torch on editor Hannah Jones's porch.
The bug collection tray on the Solar Insect Killer Torch.
Coverage area: N/A | Power source: USB rechargeable
There are quite a few electric fly swatters on the market, but we love this for one main reason: it comes with a rechargeable base. Using a USB cord connection, the charging base means there's no need to worry about hunting down batteries every few weeks. It also means that this fly swatter can play double duty as a free-standing bug zapper when not in handheld use.
Considering this fly swatter can also be used as a lamp, it comes with an optional purple light feature that can be turned on to lure flying insects in. However, you also have the option to use it without the purple light—they'll never see their demise coming.
The same with any electric fly swatter, there's more of a risk of safety with children and pets. This zapper does have an outer protective guard, but there's not as much space between the guard and the grid as in other zappers.
Also keep in mind that this electric fly swatter doesn't have any sort of catching mechanism, so you'll be left with a few dead bugs to clean, especially if you leave it on while on the charging base.
Positive review: "We have a lot of fruit flies in our house because of all the plants (and also because my brothers like to leave their dishes in the sink). We use multiple of those long sticky strips for flies and they get filled up all the time. We put out jars of vinegar covered in plastic wrap with holes. Those work fine but after an hour of using this bug zapper, we can’t believe we didn’t try it sooner. I highly recommend it!"
Coverage area: 1,500 square feet | Power source: Solar
Camping has never been better than it is with this handy little grab-and-go zapper. It's solar-powered, so as long as you give it a good spot to charge during the day, you can expect 10-12 hours of a bug-free night. And if you can't charge it during the day no worries—it also has a USB charging port.
In addition to the handy solar charging, this zapper also comes equipped with a handle that's great for hanging it up temporarily. We also love the additional lantern light feature. And, of course, it's waterproof, in case unexpected rain makes its way onto your campsite.
The only downside we could find with this zapper is that it might be a bit cumbersome to bring backpacking. It's under two pounds, but it would take up a decent amount of space in a crammed bag.
Positive review: "I really enjoyed this bug zapper actually. It's kind of everything you expect, and then some. The bug zapper does its job well, and the fact you can clean this using running water is a huge plus. The lamp is surprisingly powerful, will do well outdoors in a camping scenario or if your power goes out. The fact that this thing runs on a usb-c rechargeable battery that can also be charged via in-built solar is awesome and so extra but I love it. Overall, very good product, would recommend if you need a bug zapper for something like camping or honestly just to have around."
Different bug zappers are ideal for different situations, so you'll want to evaluate how and where you'll be using your zapper before buying one. If you're just looking for a standard bug zapper for your patio, then a plug-in lantern type would work find. If you don't have an outdoor plug, we've included a few solar-powered versions, as well. Indoors, you probably want to use something more discreet, like a plug-in zapper, though those will cover less square footage. For camping, solar-powered zappers are key so you won't have to worry about charging.
Traditional plug-in outdoor zappers can have coverage areas anywhere from a half acre to an acre and a half, making them ideal for people who have large backyards and use the whole area. Indoor bug zappers usually have a far smaller coverage zone, with some providing protection for just one room. Units that run off solar power or another power source typically have smaller coverage areas, as well, so while they might work for campsites and patios, they're not ideal for full-yard protection.
While the elimination method for bug zappers works pretty much the same across the board, the luring method does not. Most of the zappers on this list utilize a blue UV light, which most flying insects flock to. However, if you're specifically trying to eliminate mosquitoes, you might want to double up on your lure and get an octenol packet. Some of the zappers on this list include them, but not all. But for fruit flies, gnats, house flies, moths, and other flying insects, you should be fine with a blue light alone.
The vast majority of bug zappers are incredibly safe. For starters, most zappers utilize a shock that's enough to kill insects but will only give a bit of slight pain to people and most pets. Also, any bug zapper on the market is going to have a protective safety cage around it to help stop little fingers and other animals from reaching inside. However, we'd always advise putting bug zappers out of reach of children and pets, just in case. If you are worried about safety with a bug zapper, consider getting another insect-eliminating device that doesn't use electricity.
Do bug zappers actually work?
Yes, but it's important to remember that bug zappers work on all bugs, not just the biting kind. If you want to avoid killing non-harmful insects, then you'll want to try a different method of diverting insects or getting rid of mosquitos.
What are other ways to get rid of mosquitos?
There are plenty of ways to prevent mosquitos that work well in conjunction with a bug zapper. Mosquitos are notoriously weak flyers, so having a fan on is usually a great deterrent. Additionally, making sure you're covered up so mosquitos can't smell you will prevent you from being bitten. And, of course, avoid having standing water anywhere near your home, which is where many mosquitos like to lay eggs.
If you prefer to target mosquitos specifically, then you can also try what's been called a "bucket of doom." Essentially a DIY mosquito trap, it's a five gallon bucket filled with hay, dead grass, or another organic compound, topped with plenty of water, and a mosquito dunk (or any other Bacillus thuringiensis) added to the top. The bucket lures mosquitos in as the ideal spot to lay their eggs, and the mosquito dunks kill all larvae. What makes this method so attractive is that it isn't harmful to most other insects and to any mammals, so pets and children are totally safe around it. However, we'd advise adding chicken wire or mesh to the top of your buckets just to be sure no one sticks a hand in all that nastiness.
Are mosquitos attracted to bug zappers?
A stand-alone bug zapper will not attract mosquitos. The zapper might eliminate a few, but it's most likely happenstance that the mosquito ended up there. You'll need to utilize CO2 or an octenol packet to lure mosquitos to the zapper.
Hannah Jones is the Commerce Editor for Country Living. Her eye is always on the next up-and-coming products to include in gift guides and she's ready to test everything from dog beds to garden tools for product reviews. When she’s not scoping out the latest and greatest items on the market, you can find her hanging with her two rescue dogs.
75 Best Fourth of July Recipes to Celebrate
Blow Bubbles All Day Long with This Easy Recipe
57 Best Memorial Day Recipes for the Cookout
10 Most Effective Indoor Mosquito Traps
42 Delicious + Healthy Memorial Day Dessert Ideas
78 Picnic Recipes That Are Easy to Make and Take
50 Summer Salads to Make and Eat All Season Long
95 Great Grilling Recipes for Every Occasion
Make Paper Flowers That "Rose" to the Occasion
9 Best Feeders to Attract Hummingbirds This Spring
A Party-Ready Outdoor Kitchen from Home Town Stars
80 Best Summer Side Dish Recipe Ideas
A Part of Hearst Digital Media
We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.
Solar Mosquito Killer Lamp ©2024 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.