These Bug Zappers Are Actually Pretty...And They Work

Summer is the season of deliciously fresh produce, nights by the fire pit, weekends relaxing in the lake, and so much more. Does it also have to be the season for bugs? Turns out, it doesn't! There are tons of ways to keep the bugs at bay during the summer months, but not all of them are ideal (looking at you smelly bug spray). But bug zappers are practically harmless...at least to everyone other than those pesky flying insects. You heard that right—say goodbye to bug bites once and for all.

Of course, the best way to get rid of bugs is to prevent them from coming in your home or yard to start with. But we know that's rarely possible, which is where the bug zappers come in handy. But, as with everything, not all bug zappers are made the same. While a discreet plug-in zapper might be perfect for your kitchen, you'll probably want something different for camping. And, as it turns out, there's a lot of other things to think about when buying a bug zapper. Here's a peek at our favorites but read on before clicking "buy now."

Intended Use

Like we said, 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.

Coverage Area

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.

Insect Type

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.

Safety

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.