Electric fly swatters are surprisingly effective. Stationary bug zappers have been studied, but handheld swatters haven’t. Most of the evidence in favor of them is anecdotal.
Regardless of the kind of research used, electric fly swatters have a good reputation and we’ve reviewed what the market has deemed the best ones. Continue reading for our full review of these electric swatters.
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What are Electric Fly Swatters?
Electric fly swatters are an electronic means of pest control so you can kill flying insects of all kinds. They are a handheld electric bug zapper. They are powered by batteries, either a rechargeable battery or the ordinary kind, whichever you prefer.
Physically, they have a long handle that is normally where the batteries are housed. The handle also contains all the electrical components needed to operate the electric grid that will kill flies.
The grid itself is made electrically conductive strands. Different manufacturers use different grid designs, but all of them are intended to deliver a 3000-4000 high-voltage zap to any flies or flying bugs you’re swatting with it. The electric shock will kill them without the need for any bug sprays.
Read more: Learn how to keep flies away from your home
How do Electric Fly Swatters Work?
Inside the handle of an electric fly swatter are the AA batteries and a small circuit board. The circuitry is fairly simple and includes a step-up transformer that increases the small voltage from the batteries into the large voltage for the electric grid making it into a mosquito killer.
Each wire in the grid is either positive or negative. Any flying bugs you’re trying to kill have to come into contact with both at the same time to deliver a lethal jolt to the insect.
You can watch the following video for an in-depth look at exactly how an electric bug zapper works.
Overall, these are very safe for human use, but there are a few instances of harm caused by electric fly swatters.
As a safety measure, some manufacturers create multiple layers of wires. Each layer is either negative or positive. The gap between the wires is large enough for small insects such as gnats and fruit flies to pass through so they can come into contact with both poles and be electrocuted.
This mesh is too small for human fingers to penetrate so it acts as a safety barrier to keep you from getting shocked. Larger insects won’t be zapped either. The average mosquito will probably be killed though.
Some mesh designs use a triple-layer safety mesh, while others use only two layers. Neither design is inherently better or worse than the other, despite any advertising claims to the contrary.
How Do You Find the Best Electric Fly Swatter?
Step number one is to do your homework. Research is indispensable. If you’re not willing to do a little digging, you’re not going to get the best one available.
Reading articles like this one is your best bet. It’s our job to know about insects and what will kill them and what won’t. We’ve evaluated the products based on their overall effectiveness regardless of brand name(s).
Then, go to Amazon and read some of the reviews by verified buyers, people who have actually purchased an electric fly zapper or mosquito swatter and see what they have to say about it. The best electric fly swatter isn’t the prettiest one, it’s the one that works.
We’ve been killing bugs for years and we never pay attention to advertising claims. We pay attention to the results. You should too.
You can find even more in-depth information about flies and getting rid of them from our complete fly guide library here.
Are Electric Fly Swatters Effective?
So then, what are the results of using electric fly swatters? Do they actually work? As we mentioned earlier, very little actual research has been done on them.
However, after using these swatters, it is apparent that they do work; it just depends on the size of the bug.
For zapping smaller insects such as flies and mosquitoes though, yes, it will kill them.
Did You Know
If you’re trying to kill a large bug, an electric fly swatter won’t work because of the built-in safety measures with the wire safety mesh. An electric grid with two or more layers won’t physically reach larger insects, which is required for it to work.
When you’re wielding an electric swatter, you become the executioner. Get yourself a black hood and go for it.
There is one caveat though. You need to keep fresh batteries on hand. If you’re using rechargeable batteries, keep two sets of them, one set in the bug swatter and the other in the recharging station. That way you can swap them out at a moment’s notice
For optimal results, pair this mosquito swatter with some sort of repellent or fly trap.
How to Use an Electric Fly Swatter
Using a handheld mosquito zapper like these is simplicity itself. Normal fly swatters require you to squish the fly when you hit it. It’s easy to knock things over that way. With these, you just swat the bugs while they’re flying around you in the air.
Since you don’t have to wait for the flies to land before you swat them, an electric swatter gives you many more chances to hit them. When you do, the force of the blow won’t be enough to kill the fly, but it will be enough to force them into contact with the negative and positive wire meshes.
Bye-bye bug.
It is important to note that you should leave the swatter turned off until you need to use it. This will save the batteries so they don’t run down. Most of these swatters can be turned on quickly and easily with the push of a button when you pick them up.
Electric swatters are safe for both indoor and outdoor use, but isn’t the most convenient form of outdoor pest control.
Are Electric Fly Swatters Safe Around My Pets and Children?
No. Electric fly swatters are designed and built to kill things, to be a fly killer. It has exposed electrical wires in order to function properly. As such, it will never be fully safe around pets and children, so please use at your own discretion.
It’s highly unlikely that your pets or children would be permanently harmed if they were zapped by one, but the pain and fear from it would be very real. Therefore, the burden is on you to keep it safely out of their reach by putting it up on a shelf or in a cupboard they can’t open.
Top 4 Best Electric Fly Swatters
In the below section we break down each of our product recommendations in a little more detail.
- Tregini Electric Fly Swatter (Our Top Pick!)
- Mafiti Electric Fly Swatter
- Burxoe Electric Fly Swatter
- Black+Decker Electric Fly Swatter
Tregini Electric Fly Swatter
This innovative electric fly swatter from Tregini kills flies instantly with a flip of a switch and a flick of the wrist. It’s suitable for most flying pests, such as:
- Houseflies
- Mosquitoes
- Gnats
- Fruit flies
- Wasps
It utilizes 4,000 volts of killing power with one stroke, and it’s fully rechargeable, so you no longer have to worry about replacing batteries.
The Tregini Electric Fly Swatter features a safety switch that must be pressed before you can use it. So, it’s perfect for indoor use around children and pets.
Mafiti Electric Fly Swatter
The Mafiti Electric Fly Swatter features a sturdy construction that will offer years of continued use. It also has a high voltage capacity to kill flying insects quickly.
It’s one of the safest electric swatters available. It comes with a green LED light to let you know it’s powered up. In addition, the three-layer safety mesh is designed to prevent accidental shocks.
The Mafiti Electric Fly swatter is battery-operated, so it’s fully portable. Take it anywhere you may encounter annoying flies. For instance:
- Outdoor barbeques
- Fishing
- Camping trips
- Picnics or other outdoor excursions
Burxoe Electric Fly Swatter
This electric fly swatter from Burxoe utilizes the latest technology in pest control products. It provides a whopping 1,500 volts of bug-killing strength, and it has some of the best safety features in the industry.
Its ergonomic, lightweight design allows you to kill flies with a flick of a wrist. Or, lay it on its base for static bug-killing day or night. In addition, the three-layer grid provides extra protection against electrical shock, making it safe to use in any part of your home.
The Burxoe Electric Fly Swatter is perfect for both indoors and around your porch and patio. It also comes with a dual-comfort grip and an easy-cleaning feature.
Black+Decker Electric Fly Swatter
From the most trusted name in home and garden products comes this sturdy electric fly swatter. Not only is it engineered to last, but it’s also user-friendly and designed for easy operation.
The Black+Decker Electric Fly Swatter is perfect for:
- Kitchen
- Bath
- Patio
- Garage
- Barbeque
It’s cordless and easy to use. Just swing at your target and watch those flying insects disappear. It works on the following pests:
- Houseflies
- Mosquitoes
- Wasps
- Gnats
- Fruit flies
The Balck+Decker Electric Fly swatter delivers just enough power to zap unwanted bugs but is safe to use around children and pets. It also comes with a full one-year warranty.
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