You’ve just settled on your sofa to watch your favorite series, and your peace of mind is interrupted by the buzzing of a mosquito. Is there anything more frustrating than this sound? This has probably happened to every single one of us. What’s even worse, mosquitoes can wake you up from sleep and interrupt your peaceful lounging in the backyard. When you add the irritating bites, the whole situation sounds like a nightmare.
Bug zappers are one of the most efficient methods that will help you go mosquito-free. If you’ve tried other forms of protection, you already know that most aren’t as effective as they promise. Zappers use ultraviolet light that attracts bugs and insects and then kills them when they touch the electrical grid. No chemicals whatsoever!
Should you choose an electric bug zapper, a battery-powered one, or even a solar-powered device? Yes, there are many choices, but there are also restrictions, benefits, and drawbacks that you should be aware of. Before deciding which zapper device is the best for you, go over this article.
Choosing a Bug Zapper
Bug zappers are one of the best pest control methods for your home. They’re also a great alternative for outside areas such as your patio, yard, and even activities like camping. These are the three common types of devices that you’ll find, all powered differently.
-
Plug-In Zappers
Plug-in zappers are easy to use because all you need to do is plug them in an electrical outlet. This type of electric bug zapper attracts bugs without chemicals and uses a UV bug zapper light. A recent study evaluated the efficacy of UV LED lights against mosquitoes, and the results are quite positive.
This is a compact, small device that you can easily place anywhere in the house. Most of these plug-in zappers are meant for indoor and outdoor use, but you have to check the instructions before you decide to place them outdoors.
Our Brison Pest bug zappers feature a special tray that prevents dead bugs from getting on your floor. You just remove the electronic insect killer from the power outlet, detach the tray, and shake it in the garbage. There will be no sound when bugs zapper and no smell. The UV light that the fly zappers use is not exposed, but it’s covered with a barrier. That makes the device safe around kids and pets. Plus, we use an innovative energy-efficient technology that lowers energy consumption. Feel free to leave the device on during the day and night without fearing a massive electricity bill.
-
Battery-Operated Zappers
Battery-operated zappers work without the use of electricity; that’s why they’re perfect for the outdoors. You can place them wherever you want to because they don’t come with a power cord. Since they’re not powered by electricity, you’ll need to purchase new batteries each time the ones you’re using are dead.
Battery-operated zappers are a great option for outdoor areas where there is no electric outlet, and you can’t use a plug-in bug zapper insect killer. If you love camping, this is an excellent solution because it’s a portable device you can carry everywhere with you. One of the most popular battery-operated devices is the bug zapper racquet that looks like a tennis racquet, and you swing it to get rid of insects.
-
Solar Zappers
This type of zappers uses the sun as a power source. All you have to do is place them in direct sunlight during the day, and they’ll start zapping bugs as soon as they appear. There is no need to turn them on; instead, when they’re charged, they start working.
Solar zappers usually come in the shape of a lantern. Although they can be used outdoors and indoors, they’re a much more popular choice for outdoor areas. These devices generally don’t come with a tray, and the chances are you’ll be seeing dead insects on your floor if you leave them at home.
Outdoor Vs. Indoor Zappers: What to Choose?
Take away your fly swatter; there are more innovative and efficient ways to deal with flying bugs and insects. If you’re still wondering what the difference between indoor and outdoor zappers is, here’s a list that will help you understand.
Outdoor Bug Zapper
Pros
- Efficient at eliminating flying bugs and insects;
- Will protect you from bug bites while you’re enjoying yourself in the yard;
- These devices don’t use chemicals;
- Are safe for your health, your family’s health, and your pets.
Cons
- Cover only a limited area, so you’ll need several if you have a large yard and to check the coverage area before buying;
- These zappers don’t attract only the bugs that you want them to attract, but also a range of other bugs as well;
Indoor Bug Zapper
Pros
- Effective at eliminating bugs from your home;
- These are small and compact devices that you can place anywhere you need;
- They emit a bright light that is not distracting;
- These devices don’t use harmful chemicals to kill mosquitoes;
- They are safe for you, your family, kids, and pets.
Cons
- You will probably see dead insects on the tray or the ground, depending on the bug zapper that you’ll buy;
- Aren’t water-resistant.
Tips to Get Rid of Mosquitoes in Your Yard
Pest control is a very serious matter in the yard, especially if you love spending your free time relaxing outside. Aside from devices such as zappers, these are some other useful tips you can employ:
-
Chemical Repellents
If you’ve been struggling with mosquitoes, moths, biting flies in your yard, using chemical repellents is one of the tips you can try. There are two ways to apply these chemicals, it can either be on the area of your yard, garden, patio, lawn, or you can opt for a chemical product that you can apply on the skin. The protection of garden repellents can last for several weeks, depending on the product. Skin-applied chemicals have a short span of effectiveness and can last up to 12 hours.
-
Use A Mosquito Trap
A mosquito trap is another insect killer idea for outdoor spaces. This is not a single product but a variety of traps meant to target different mosquito species. These traps release smells and radiate a light that attracts bugs.
One of the most common traps comes with a surface that it’s sticky, and once mosquitoes touch it, they get stuck on it. That’s when the electrical grid kills any fly insect that is trapped. Other traps can drown or dehydrate the mosquitoes.
-
Eliminate Standing Water
Mosquitoes can and will breed in any standing water that’s present in your yard. It doesn’t matter if it’s a pond, fountain, pet bowl, birdbath. So, the best way to be protected is to get rid of all sources of standing water. If there’s a pet bowl or a birdbath that needs to be outside, make sure that you change the water regularly. And if there’s standing water that you can’t eliminate- treat it with a larvicide.
-
Burn Candles
Mosquitoes hate citronella oil. You can use candles based on this oil to get rid of those boring buzzing insects that are everywhere. Don’t forget that candles won’t protect the entire yard area, they don’t kill mosquitoes, and they won’t prevent them from multiplying. This is a protective matter that will only prevent mosquitoes from getting to you.
-
Treat Pools & Ponds
If you want the pond in your yard to stay, you have to treat the water to prevent insect infestation. Since mosquitoes often lay their eggs in ponds, you should use a larvicide regularly to stop them from multiplying and getting all over your yard.
Pools can also be a breeding ground for moths and mosquitoes. Remember to cover the pool whenever you don’t need it.
-
Keep Your Yard Tidy
Tall grass, large bushes, an untrimmed yard are the perfect nesting grounds for mosquitoes. Keeping your yard tidy will keep bugs away and give you a peace of mind while you’re relaxing outside.
Conclusion
Which bug zapper should you choose? As you can see, the three types are pretty different in terms of power sources, indications for use, and design. If you’re looking for a device that you’ll use at home and outdoors, an electric bug zapper is your best choice.
Aside from using devices, there are a few other tips you can try to keep mosquitoes away from your yard. This includes eliminating standing water, keeping the yard clean and maintained, using chemical repellents, lighting candles, using mosquito traps, and protecting the pool.