The 6 Best Buy Zappers of 2024

The advent of summer means more late night barbecues and pool parties, but that also means more bugs. And, there’s one thing that almost everyone can agree on: Getting targeted by an invasion of insects really bites (pun intended). Bug zappers use a UV light and an electrified grid to attract insects, which, once trapped, get hit with a high-voltage fatal shock. The bugs then fall into a collection tray for quick disposal. It’s important to note that bug zappers are not effective at targeting most mosquitoes and biting insects—rather, they also trap bugs that are beneficial to the environment, like moths and beetles. In fact, one article by Colorado State University cites a study in which researchers found that “just 0.13 percent of the insects killed by one of these devices were biting flies, including female mosquitoes.” So eliminate or even cut down the mosquito population in your yard, they will not. The best way to rid your space of unwanted flying insects is to use multiple methods—and several are far more effective (and more humane) options. But if you’re still inclined to buy a bug zapper as part of your arsenal, we’ve laid out some things to keep in mind, along with a few models to consider.