Best Outdoor Bug Zappers

Review & Comparison, Last Update December 8, 2023
If you want to enjoy summer without being swarmed every time you go outdoors or when you open your windows, it's a good idea to buy ...Read more
PROS

The UV-lamp in this zapper is powerful enough to serve as an actual light source, especially since the warm blue illumination blends easily with other lamps.

CONS

Relatively high energy consumption.

OUR VERDICT

The Flowtron BK-80D covers a huge area and zaps any bugs that come way too close, offering protection to you and your backyard. It also provides pretty strong illumination and won't rust even if you leave it out in the spring showers. Great bug destroyer for your yard.

detailed parameters
Coverage Area

Up to 1.5 acres

Working Principle

UV light and an electrified grid

Combats

Moths, flies, and mosquitoes

Power Source

AC

Material

Weatherproof polycarbonate

Warranty

2 years

PROS

Made from polycarbonate, it doesn't crack nor does it rust or fade under the effects of heat, sunlight, snow, and rain. The product can also be used simply as a decorative lantern or as an additional security lighting.

CONS

The power cable is a bit short.

OUR VERDICT

The Flowtron BK-40D could definitely be described as a good bug zapper if for no other reason than the model's durable and rugged housing. The weather outside won't always be forgiving, but it doesn't concern the zapper from Flowtron as it will be able to handle it all.

detailed parameters
Coverage Area

Up to 1 acre

Working Principle

UV light and an electrified grid

Combats

Moths, flies, and mosquitoes

Power Source

AC

Material

Weatherproof polycarbonate

Warranty

2 years

PROS

The power cord is rather long, which allows hanging the lantern pretty much anywhere. The hanging ring is made of corrosion-resistant metal, so the zapper won't fall on the ground unexpectedly.

CONS

The insect tray is quite small.

OUR VERDICT

Although this HEMIUA zapper is great for general indoor use, it truly shines if placed on patios. Owing to its waterproof housing, it can be utilized in any weather with zero risks of malfunction. Likewise, it's 365-nm UV lamp lures most of the common pest insects.

detailed parameters
Coverage Area

Up to 0.02 acre 

Working Principle

UV light and an electrified grid (Octenol lure is optional)

Combats

Moths, flies, mosquitoes, bees

Power Source

AC

Material

Plastic

Warranty

1 year

PROS

The grate is made with holes of different sizes, so the zapper lets through both smaller and larger insects. Also, the unit comes with a large insect tray that is very easy to remove and clean.

CONS

It may not be that effective for large bugs. 

OUR VERDICT

The BLACK + DECKER offers a well-balanced model that is ideal for patios, shops, cafes, and warehouses. It's made with two replaceable bulbs and has a stylish design, so it's suitable for heavy-duty use in places with exquisite interior/exterior.

detailed parameters
Coverage Area

Up to 1 acre 

Working Principle

UV light and an electrified grid (Octenol lure is optional)

Combats

Moths, flies, mosquitoes, gnats, wasps

Power Source

AC

Material

Plastic

Warranty

1 year

PROS

It is not only the extra-bright 20-watt lamp that attracts insects here. In addition to it, the zapper comes with a reusable non-toxic attractant that boosts efficiency (there is a special compartment for it in the lid).

CONS

The zapping sound is quite loud. 

OUR VERDICT

This 2-in-1 Bug Zapper and Attractant is a great option for those individuals who regularly host backyard barbecue parties and want to get rid of annoying bugs. It effectively lures the insects with smell and UV light and then instantly kills them on contact.

detailed parameters
Coverage Area

Up to 0.5 acre

Working Principle

UV light and an electrified grid (Octenol lure is included)

Combats

Moths, flies, mosquitoes, bees, wasps, and gnats

Power Source

AC

Material

Plastic

Warranty

1 year

Extra Powerful Bug Destroyer

We feel that all good appliances should have some sort of multifunctionality to them and that’s one of the reasons we like the Flowtron BK-80D. This powerful outdoor fly zapper can also serve as a pretty bright light source. The 80 W UV-light inside the metal cage gives off warm blue illumination, which blends easily with other light sources.

Of course, that’s not all there is to like about the Flowtron zapper as the device also covers up to 1.5 acres, more than the size of a football field. We doubt that your backyard is that big but better safe than sorry, right?

There’s one downside to the Flowtron BK-80D being super-powerful, namely its energy consumption. It makes sense that a coverage area this big and a light that bright would eat up more than an average lamp does. In the big scheme of things, your electricity bill won’t increase that much while the bug population around your home will dwindle drastically.

You can also run this zapper in any weather as it’s made of polycarbonate which is fully resistant to the elements. The metal cage won’t rust and the plastic won’t get deformed even if you leave the zapper outside for a while.

It’s tough to find a better UV-light zapper than the Flowtron BK-80D as long as you don’t mind a slightly higher electricity bill. The lamp is powerful, covers a large area, and leaves no bugs standing. Or, rather, flying.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $72.47
Stock In stock
ASIN B00004R9VV

What customers say about this product

Key Specs(4.7)

This is rather a powerful device however, according to County Rep is useless for mosquitos. I only bought this device for mosquitos.

Features(4.7)

Just to be safe, we also put a weatherproof cord cover we use for chrismtas lights on the plug.

The Weather Doesn't Stand a Chance

The biggest selling point of the Flowtron BK-40D is the housing's material. Where most manufacturers rely on plastic, the people behind this product decided to go with polycarbonate instead. And, sure, the material in question is generally a bit more expensive than ABS plastic, but it is also much more rugged and its weatherproof properties are simply superb. It doesn't crack nor does it rust or fade under the effects of heat, sunlight, snow, and rain, so the bug zapper will be able to faithfully serve you for years to come.

Materials aside, there's also the coverage area that makes this zapper such an attractive choice for a variety of customers. Being able to cover up to 1 acre of property, the model will prove to be a great solution for people with a large backyard. In terms of performance, it relies on the same working principle that employs the services of UV light and an electrified grid. And when it comes to maintenance, aside from the aforementioned durability of the housing, there's also the fact that the light bulb is really easy to replace without any additional tools. Finally, you could also make an argument that the product can be used simply as a decorative lantern or as an additional security lighting.

All things considered, the Flowtron BK-40D could definitely be described as the best outdoor bug zapper if for no other reason than the model's durable and rugged housing. The weather outside won't always be forgiving, but it doesn't concern the zapper from Flowtron as it will be able to handle it all.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $39.98
Stock In stock
ASIN B00004R9VW

What customers say about this product

Key Specs(4.6)

As for the BK-40D, this bad boy is awesome! Before, I never liked being outside for too long due to being pestered by bugs.

Features(4.6)

I added an outdoor photocell to the extension cord and once the sun started to drop it’s been dealing out death all night! So far so good...

Small yet Quite Capable

The HEMIUA is yet another lantern-like zapper on our list but, this time around, it is completed in a sleek and, more importantly, waterproof housing that enables using it virtually anywhere given enough power.

Speaking of power, this appliance is corded and will need a 120-volt power source. Although any cord extension will do, we recommend using only the best ones that have appropriate insulation, especially if you want to hang the zapper outdoors on your porch.

Conversely, let’s consider the actual zapping. Equipped with a 4200-volt electrified grid, it is quite effective at doing just that - insect extermination. To aid in that, the zapper also features an attractant trap in the form of a single HEMIUA UV bulb that can lure annoying flying pests with good consistency. The only thing we would like to see improved is making the insect tray bigger since the stock one gets filled surprisingly quickly, which requires cleaning it up quite often.

Summing up, despite the small size, this HEMIUA zapper is an excellent bug zapper for both indoor and outdoor use. Thanks to its well-protected housing, however, it will be best suited for outdoor use close to the entry points that insects may use to get inside your house.

Additional Info

User Manual

Last updated price $39.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B0861295JF

Unique Design

At a glance, it becomes obvious that the BLACK+DECKER Bug Zapper looks different from many other lantern-style bug zappers on the market. Contrary to similar products, this one is fitted with a quite elaborate insect grate that incorporates holes of different sizes. This design ensures that the zapper lets through both smaller and larger insects closer to the high-wattage bulbs and, as a result, they die in-between the grates. Owing to this construction, cleaning the actual metal grid will be far easier since the bugs won’t stick to it too much. Plus, this insect killer comes with an easy-clean tray, meaning you won't need to take apart the entire unit to empty it.

When it comes to effectiveness, this BLACK+DECKER insect killer comes with two replaceable 18-watt bulbs that ensure quick extermination of flies, mosquitoes, greenheads, gnats, wasps and other biting nasties. Simply set it indoors on any flat surface or hang it up on your patio. The pack includes a strong chain that lets you hang the zapper vertically from any hook you have.

The unit has a resilient waterproof design that stands up to any weather and matches any backyard decor nicely. So, if you're after a sleek bug zapper that won't ruin the look but will provide a quick reduction in bug bites and gnats, this product by BLACK+DECKER is worth your consideration. With a unique grid design and replaceable bulbs, it'll provide long years of relief.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $64.99
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B084Q29MC3

Extra "Attractive"

With thousands of positive reviews on Amazon, this Bug Zapper & Attractant is a real best seller for a reason. As the name suggests, it's not a simple zapper but a 2-in-1 model that also acts as an attractant for flying nasties. What makes it so effective is that it comes with an additional bug attractant cartridge with R-Octenol that should be attached to the bottom tray (there is a special compartment inside the lid). This way, not only does the UV light bring insects into the "trap" but also the smell of attractant lures them to the grid.

Once insects get close to this 2-in-1 zapper, the 4200-volt electric grid kills bugs on contact. When the unit is on, it makes a very faint hiss that is non-bothering at all, but when it zaps a bug, there's that classic snap which may be quite loud if it kills a quite big bug.

Made with the extra-bright 20-watt lamp, the TBI Pro zapper offers an impressive 195 sq. meter coverage for indoor and outdoor bug control. It looks like a modern lantern so it blends nicely, hanging in a backyard patio area, which cannot be said about models with the rectangular box design. It also comes with a chain but you can hang it up using just the “O” ring on top. The zapper is delivered pre-assembled, so you should simply install the attractant, screw on the bottom and you're ready to go. Effective and extra "attractive", it's a good insect killer to use on larger areas.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $39.95
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B083RBJ6F6

What Is an Outdoor Bug Zapper?

The war between people just wanting to relax and annoying bugs stinging them or fluttering around and bothering everyone has been going on for a long time. It's gotten to the point where people are ranking the most annoying bugs! While you can rest safely in the comfort of your own home with repellers and mosquito nets fitted on the windows, the outside world is still very much controlled by nasty mosquitoes, moths, and flies. Thankfully, you don’t have to limit your diet or choices of clothing and spend your evening out on the patio trying to shoo away nasty bugs as a simple outdoor bug zapper light will take care of most insects without you even lifting a finger!

These lights attract insects of all kinds, luring them in close before zapping them with electricity. Sure, not the most humane way of dealing with the creatures but what are a couple of mosquitoes compared to the chance to spend a nice summer evening in your backyard with a couple of friends? If you're determined to solve things peacefully, you could try and deter bugs by putting certain plants in your backyard.

After you’ve protected your yard from the buzzing insects, don’t forget to safeguard your home with an ultrasonic pest repeller. And try to keep a can of bug spray on you when you go out as, let’s be honest, you’re not gonna lug around an outdoor zapper when you go for a night out or a long vacation.

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