Summer means more late night barbecues and pool parties, but it also means more bugs. And, almost everybody agrees: Getting attacked by stinging, chomping insects is really painful (pun intended). A relaxing evening on your deck can quickly turn into a feast for pests who want to eat your family, your guests, and your juicy watermelon without a bug zapper to mitigate flies and mosquitoes.
Many people have allergic reactions to mosquito bites, ranging from irritating rashes to severe medical emergencies, which is why bug zappers are safe for use in the yard. Mosquitoes carry diseases such as West Nile virus.
From indoor bug zappers to outdoor lights, there are a wide variety of bug zappers available. Listed below are the best bug zappers we recommend for the summer and all year round, along with some things to keep in mind when choosing your own insect management.
Best Bug Zappers
![](https://www.listofbrand.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/81kiyL16wgL._AC_SL1500_-1-851x1024.jpg)
1
Brand | Klahaite |
Style | Bug Zapper |
Material | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 7.68 x 6.54 x 12.36 inches |
Item Weight | 2.16 Pounds |
![](https://www.listofbrand.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/71WU6ngJwL._AC_SL1500_-142x300.jpg)
2
Brand | FVOAI |
Style | Hanging Style |
Material | ABS plastic |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 12 x 10 x 10 inches |
Item Weight | 2.18 Pounds |
![](https://www.listofbrand.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/517wHizKY4S._AC_SL1000_.jpg)
3
Brand | Tysonir |
Style | NLZQ-01 |
Material | Plastic |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 6.66 x 6.66 x 11.31 inches |
Rated Voltage | 110V-60Gz |
![](https://www.listofbrand.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/71lsMVlcmpL._AC_SL1500_-826x1024.jpg)
4
Brand | KOOSA |
Style | Retro |
Material | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 9.4 x 6.88 x 5.1 inches |
Item Weight | 1.1 Pounds |
![](https://www.listofbrand.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/81Qgm1viGTL._AC_SL1500_-160x300.jpg)
5
Brand | BLACK+DECKER |
Style | 600 sq. ft |
Material | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 5.3 x 5.3 x 9 inches |
Target Species | Fly, Mosquito, Gnat,Wasp |
![](https://www.listofbrand.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/61RCs7x9RZL._AC_SL1500_-757x1024.jpg)
6
Brand | Flowtron |
Style | Bug Zapper |
Material | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 9.7 x 9.7 x 16.5 inches |
Item Weight | 2.2 Kilograms |
![](https://www.listofbrand.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/61sAv3xSFsL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)
7
Brand | Tysonir |
Style | Country Rustic |
Material | Plastic |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 11.54 x 6.54 x 6.54 inches |
Item Weight | 1.94 Pounds |
![](https://www.listofbrand.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/71BairHYDaL._AC_SL1500_-725x1024.jpg)
8
Brand | Sahara Sailor |
Style | Bug Zapper |
Material | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 12.48 x 7.68 x 6.77 inches |
Target Species | Fly, Moth, Mosquito |
![](https://www.listofbrand.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/71TPqwjvqaL._AC_SL1500_-1007x1024.jpg)
9
Brand | Gaiatop |
Style | Bug Zapper |
Material | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 6.69 x 6.69 x 12.6 inches |
Target Species | Fly, Moth, Mosquito,Gnat |
![](https://www.listofbrand.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/71LcRhXNFZL._AC_SL1500_-1-1024x1024.jpg)
10
Brand | ASPECTEK |
Style | 20w Bug Zapper+2Bulbs |
Material | Plastic |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 15.16 x 11.02 x 3.15 inches |
Item Weight | 2.8 Pounds |
What to Look for in a Bug Zapper?
Type of Insect
You should choose a bug zapper with an octenol packet if you want to eliminate mosquitoes, which attracts them better than a UV light does, despite popular belief. Among our best picks for mosquitoes, the Black Flag 2,000-Volt Bug Zapper Insect Killer has an octenol lure, and is effective against mosquitoes and a variety of bugs.
Coverage Area
A bug zapper’s efficiency is the most important measure of success. Generally, the more powerful the UV light, the broader the range. Our best overall insect killer, the Flowtron BK-40D Electronic Insect Killer, attracts insects (including mosquitoes) up to an acre away. You may not mind a smaller range if your backyard is small, since a large range will attract bugs from neighboring homes into your space before zapping them.
Indoor or Outdoor
In spite of the fact that many manufacturers manufacture bug zappers that can be used both indoors and outdoors, some machines are only suitable for one or the other. In addition to not being powerful enough for outdoor use, indoor bug zappers often lack a tray for catching dead insects (ewww!). Make sure the bug zapper you’re buying works for your space by checking the packaging. As long as there is an outlet nearby, the Aspectek Indoor Insect Killer is the best bug zapper for indoor use. You can take a zapper with you camping or fishing if you don’t have an outdoor outlet, and it’s waterproof and can also be used as a lantern, making it a great choice if you don’t have an outdoor outlet.
FAQ
How do bug zappers work?
Flying pests are lured into a high-voltage metal grid at the center of a bug zapper by bright light (usually from UV bulbs). Insects are electrocuted by the device. Octtenol, a mosquito attractant, is also used in some bug zappers to attract biting insects and cover a greater area.
When should you use a bug zapper over a bug repellent?
If you want to avoid pesticides or other chemical formulas, use a bug zapper instead of insect repellent. These bug zappers are ideal for indoors. Furthermore, a bug zapper can kill certain pests that repellents may not be able to, making it an excellent way to protect both indoors and outdoors.
Can bug zappers harm you?
In order to prevent accidental shocks or burns to humans, many bug zappers have mesh grids that are multi-layered. When you keep a foot or more away from the ultraviolet light, the wattage is typically not strong enough to harm humans, but enough to attract bugs.
How do you clean a bug zapper?
Most lantern-style insect killers have removable trays on the bottom, which can be pulled out and washed with soap and water. Some bug zappers are self-cleaning, meaning you only have to sweep the bugs up from the floor or ground.
Can bug zappers be used indoors?
There is no doubt that bug zappers can be used indoors – in fact, that is one of their primary uses. Chemical bug zappers, which use harmful chemicals to attract bugs, are generally used outdoors so that children and pets do not come in contact with them.