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Bug Zapper: Indoor and Outdoor

Bug zappers sell at hardware stores, garden centers and online. Match the model to where you hang it.

Updated . Edited by: Ilyass Ben Hakim.

Where to buy

Hardware stores and garden centers stock zappers mostly in spring and summer. Restaurant supply firms sell enclosed indoor fly units.

Professional insight

Pest control staff place zappers away from people. The light should pull insects away, not toward you.

  • Zappers kill flies and moths better than mosquitoes.
  • Food areas need enclosed units that catch insect debris.
  • Replacement UV bulbs should be easy to buy.
  • Hang outdoor units 20 to 25 feet from seating.

Check the label

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Types

Hanging outdoor lantern

UV light and grid for patios and yards. Needs a grounded outdoor outlet.

Indoor wall unit

Enclosed grid or glue board for kitchens and shops.

Plug in night light style

Small unit for bedrooms or small rooms. Low coverage.

Racket zapper

Handheld battery swatter for single flying insects.

Setup tips

  • Use an outdoor rated extension cord outside.
  • Hang above head height but below 7 feet for flies.
  • Keep it away from open food and drinks.
  • Run it at dusk, when many insects fly.

Care

Unplug and brush dead insects off the grid weekly. Empty the tray. Replace UV bulbs about once a season. They fade before burning out.

Common questions

Do bug zappers stop mosquitoes?
Not well. Mosquitoes follow carbon dioxide and skin scent more than UV light.
Can an indoor zapper go outside?
Only if the label says outdoor rated. Rain can cause shorts.
Are zappers safe around pets?
Pick one with a guard grid and mount it out of reach.