Best Electronic Insect Killers (2019)
Dealing with insects is one of the most annoying things about outdoor living. Imagine spending a cozy spring even out in the yard with you family or friends and all of a sudden an irksome buzzing near your ears. Or even worse, the redundant swatting or those pesky little red bumps on your limbs. Weigh in the possibility of disease-carrying bugs and that's enough to apprehend you about having an outdoor gathering altogether! Even the insects that don't bite you can still be a nuisance with their constant scurrying and whizzing.
One solution against this problem is an electronic insect killer. No need to buy expensive consumable chemical or to spray your skin with repellents and cover ups; these devices are made to attract and kill insects within a specific area.
Best Insect Killers In Comparison
1) Flowtron BK-15D
Our top choice
The Flowtron BK-15D electronic insect killer can protect an area up to 1/2 acre. Other models of higher coverage area are also available. For instance, there is a more powerful version rated up to 1 acre – the Flowtron BK-40D.
The BK-15D is our pick, as some reports suggest the brighter, more powerful bulbs in the BK-40D are not as effective at attracting bugs.
The BK-15D uses a single, 15-watt ultraviolet light to attract bugs. It uses a high-voltage, highly-efficient grid to eliminate them and has been designed in a way to avoid clogging, which you will find with some other insect killers. It is lightweight at just under 5 Lbs. and is made of weatherproof poly-carbonate, so it will not suffer from unsightly rust when left outside. The structure of the enclosure prevents children, pets, and other animals from touching the dangerous grid.
This insect killer comes fully assembled – even the 15-watt light bulb is installed, so all you have to to is find a suitable spot and plug it in. It is recommended that it be used outside a 25 feet area of human activity and be hung instead of being placed on a surface. Being electric, you don’t have to worry about constantly replacing consumable chemicals and should change the cartridge every 30 days for best results. The amount of energy consumed is minimal, so you shouldn’t notice the tiny running cost.
Flowtron backs this insect killer with a 2-year limited warranty.
Minor Issues
One note of caution, don’t place this unit above a wooden deck or near anything flammable, such as patio furniture, as it is possible for bug debris to catch fire and fall from this insect killer.
You should always use a GFCI power outlet or a power cord with a built-in GFCI for any corded electrical equipment being used outdoors, including insect killers.
2) Flowtron FC-8800 Diplomat
Our Premium Commercial choice
The Flowtron FC-8800 is one of those models that people think they have seen for years. The basic model is the light inside of the cage that has large enough holes for the bugs to fly through and get zapped. This is a model that is versatile enough to be used indoors and outdoors, but will protect up to 2 acres outside or 1200 square feet inside.
It has a 1200-watt UV lure power is USDA and FDA approved. The collection tray is easily removable and so can be mounted horizontally or vertically. It has a glow-tube and a glo-panel reflector to ensure maximum attraction of insects and hence has high efficiency. The FC-8800 is made of high-impact outdoor grade plastic with a chrome plated cylindrical grid. The machine weighs a hefty 20 Lbs. with a 67-inch cord, and is mainly intended for industrial use.
Flowtron cover this insect killer with a one year warranty.
3) BLACK+DECKER 941 Zapper
The lightweight choice
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The Black & Decker 941 zapper is a battery powered insect killer which lures flies, mosquitoes, wasps etc. and kills them on contact. It can be hung by the built-in ring and chain or stood up on a surface on its sturdy base. It is very lightweight and weighs only about 1.8 Lbs.
It covers a 625 square feet area and is designed with a clog-resistant grid with different sized holes for multiple insects to fly through. It comes with a cleaning brush and a removable tray to discard the remnants.
4) Livin’ Well Bug Zapper
The Highest residential coverage choice
The Livin' Well Bug Zapper delivers 4000V of electric power to work on the insects and can last up to 8000 hours. This insect lamp has a wide range of 1500 square feet and is suitable for any weather. It
This insect killer comes with an 18W UVA bug light and a galvanized steel insect zapper grid. It can be hung with its 6 feet cord or stood on its base as well. The base can be unscrewed and rinsed for convenient cleaning and is suitable for booth indoor and outdoor use.
5) Stinger Cordless Rechargeable Insect Zapper
The portable Choice
Some users like the older lantern style of bug zappers. With the Stinger Cordless Rechargeable Insect Zapper you are getting exactly that. It is stylish with a certain appeal that everyone will love, but serves as a lantern as well as it has bright LED lights for accent lighting. It covers an area of 625 square feet and has a replaceable tray.
The best part is that it is cordless, thus portable, and rechargeable. It has a 3.5-hour run time on the battery with lantern only. This model uses a black UV light, which is very potent in attracting more bugs. For best results, it is recommended to hang the zapper between the source of insects (yard, woods) and the area intended for protection, but atleast 10 to 14 feet away from human activity. Even though the coverage area is small, as it is portable it can be used on a trail or during traveling. It weighs slightly above 3 Lbs. and is quite sturdy for outdoor use.
Do you own any of the insect killers mentioned here? Did you choose a different one? Let us know in the comments!
