Ranked #2 in Best Bug Zappers
Flowtron BK-40D Electronic Insect Killer4.2
1 source$69.99as of Oct 11The Flowtron BK-40D is a plug-in outdoor lantern zapper with two UV black light bulbs, an electrified grid and a slot for an octenol mosquito lure. Bob Vila's Tony Carrick ran it against five other zappers over several summer nights in rural North Carolina, rated it 9/10 and called it the best of the group at thinning out biting insects. His complaints were the very short power cord, the bright blue light and utilitarian looks, and the fact that it kills beneficial insects along with the biting ones.
Strengths
- — Rated 9/10 by Bob Vila, which found it out-zapped five other models
- — Registered kills within minutes of being plugged in, per Bob Vila
- — Bob Vila found mosquito activity on the patio declined noticeably with it running
Watch-outs
- — Power cord is less than a foot long; Bob Vila needed a 40-foot extension cord
- — Bright fluorescent blue light, constant popping and utilitarian looks, per Bob Vila
- — Kills all flying insects, including beneficial nonbiting ones, Bob Vila notes
