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If the citronella standard candle and essential oils are n’t doing enough to drive by mosquito from your nocturnal backyard gatherings , then it might be time to let loose this bug zapper from Flowtron on those wing threat . I put this bug zapper up against five other models over several summertime nights in humid and microbe - mount rural North Carolina , and it essay to be the good of the clustering at reducing the universe of bloodsucker in my backyard .
During my examination , I looked at how well-off it is to set up the Flowtron , how effectively it attracts and despatch bite dirt ball , what it was like to clean and keep , and the impact it had on the esthetics of my outdoor animation space .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
While there are sure some trade - offs with theFlowtron BK40DK bug zapper — particularly when it come to aspect — overall , it exceed and out - zapped theother bug testersI evaluated .
Flowtron BK40DK Electronic Insect Killer: At a Glance
Rating:9/10
PROS
CONS
Get the Flowtron BK40DK Electronic Insect Killer at :
What is the Flowtron BK40DK Electronic Insect Killer?
The Flowtron BK40DK consists of a tapered pliant lantern that house a metal power system and two ultraviolet radiation contraband lighting bulb . There ’s a ring on the top of the zapper for hanging it up and a small slot at the bottom that holds an octenol hook pack , an attractant that ’s effective at lure in mosquitoes and sting flies . The BK40DK is powered by a corduroy that extends from the top of the social unit and chew into a stock three - prong outdoor GFCI outlet .
The Flowtron ’s surgical process is simple . After it ’s plugged in , the bulb wrench on and begin to draw in flying insects . When the bugs fly toward the light , they total into contact with the electrified grid , which zaps them with high - electromotive force electricity , killing them instantly . According to Flowtron , the BK40DK is in effect at reducing the flying insect population over a 1 - acre area .
How easy is the Flowtron bug zapper to set up and use?
Getting theFlowtron bug zapperup and running is well-to-do , as it comes fully assembled inside its box . All I had to do was find a place to flow it . Per the manufacturing business ’s instructions , there should be a fender between the microbe zapper and an outdoor life space , so I hung the Flowtron from a wench - self-feeder hook in my backyard about 30 fundament or so from my back patio .
unluckily , this made it more hard to stop up it in . Given that the cord prolong from the Flowtron is less than a foot long , I had to employ a 40 - foot extension cord to plug it into the nearest out-of-door outlet . I was n’t a big fan of this ; the electric cord running through my yard was unsightly , plus it created a tripping hazard .
The only other assembly postulate for the Flowtron was introduce the octanol cartridge , which slither easily into the cartridge holder on the bottom of the unit . The cartridge lasts about 30 day and costs about $ 15 for a replacement three - plurality .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
How does the Flowtron BK40DK perform?
It does n’t take long at all for hemipteron to make a beeline for the Flowtron ’s black ignitor bulbs . Just minutes after being punch in , the zapper began register kills . Determining just how in effect the zapper is at killing is a childlike task , as it record a red-hot pop for each louse it claims . Flowtron says the BK40DK will pull in glitch in a 1 - Akka area , and it appear to do just that . After about 15 minutes , there was a steady catamenia of victims heading to the zapper .
Of course , all of that bug zapping is n’t of much manipulation if the Flowtron is n’t keep the worm from biting you . Although I found that the mosquito activity around me on my back patio declined observably with the Flowtron on patrol , I did still suffer a bite or two while it was on . That said , the effect was telling , considering that my home plump for up to a thickly wooded region .
Is the Flowtron bug zapper well designed?
The Flowtron is designed with one affair in intellect — thinning out a population of burn insects , which it does very well . It is not , however , made for adding to the visual appeal of the yard . The fluorescent blue light is very bright , and the Flowtron has a utilitarian look . Some drug user may also be reverse off by the constant popping interference that the Flowtron registers as it ’s bring out insect . In myopic , if aesthetic are paramount in your backyard , then you might want to look for a different means of killing or warding off biting insect in the out-of-door infinite .
safe is an emergence when it comes tobug zappers . hemipterous insect zappers put out about 2 adenosine monophosphate of current , which is enough to give a person a adept jolt and even minor burning , so it ’s important that these devices are design to forestall kids , adult , and darling from adjoin the grid . A safeguard surrounds the Flowtron BK40DK ’s bulbs and grating , forestall fingers or paws from hit the fluorescent fixture bulbs . Despite that precaution , it makes sense to keep theFlowtron BK40DKat a tiptop that ’s out of range for pets and small children .
Is the Flowtron BK40DK worth the money?
With a price tag of around $ 60 , the Flowtron BK40DK is surely more expensive than citronella candles orbug repellent . Those who deal with minormosquito issuesmight be capable to get by with a smaller and less expensive bug zapper . That enounce , if non - zap methods or smaller bug zappers simply are n’t make for and there is a large area to cover , then this zapper is deserving every cent .
The Flowtron BK40DK is a much more affordable option than periodical professional mosquito treatments , which can draw between $ 40 and $ 100 per month . Just keep in mind that bug zapper wo n’t eliminate all of a yard ’s pest problem . I still abide a few bite even when the BK40DK was survive full effect .
Is the Flowtron BK40DK right for you?
The Flowtron is an excellent bug killer , but it ’s not ideal for all property . The size and brightness of the BK40DK are most suitable for holding with enough nation to create a buffer between the outside animation domain and the zapper . Remember , the hemipteran zapper will attract all manner of insects to the light . If you ’re in close proximity to it , you ’ll be sitting among that swarm of insects , which defeats the purpose of having a glitch zapper .
The Flowtron is also a beneficial option when a mosquito problem is significant . Those dealing with only a stray mosquito or nipping fly ball here and there can probably get away with a modest germ zapper or some form of insect repellent .
I should also note that the Flowtron kill indiscriminately , which is one of the major unfavorable judgment of any germ zapper . While it will wipe out mordacious insects , it will also take out everything else that ’s attracted to the zapper , including many beneficial nonbiting insects . With that in mind , it ’s practiced to limit the time the zapper is in use to nights when you ’re outdoors . For those who find the collateral equipment casualty that make out with bug zappers to be off - putting , it ’s salutary to consider some of the more environmentally responsible option to keep mosquito at bay .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Where to Buy the Flowtron BK40DK Electronic Insect Killer
Meet the Tester
Tony Carrick is a freelance author specialize in home betterment , landscape gardening , technology , home security , and pattern . His articles have been featured on such sites as Angi , Popular Mechanics , Futurism , 360 Reviews by U.S. News & World Report , Switchful , and more . Tony has conducted rigorous intersection examination on everything from power tools to home certificate system to backyard grillroom . Living in the South near a heavily wooded area , Tony is all too conversant with the struggle to stand off mosquitoes .
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Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
