Solar Insect Zapper: Using the Sun to Zap Bugs

Spending time in your backyard or on your patio is great... until the mosquitoes come out. Even with Citronella candles and bug spray, it can feel like a losing battle. So we're intrigued by these Solar Insect Zappers. They charge themselves all day and then turn on at dusk, at which point the UV light purportedly lures and then zaps mosquitoes and other insects with a 300-volt electric charge...

They apparently take 8 hours to charge and last for eight hours. You can even switch them from zappers to ambient light. A set of four is available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $99.95.

Has anyone ever used these? How do they work? Let us know!

Originally posted by Cambria/Re-Nest

Comments (3)

We have had these in the UK for a year or so now (ours look a lot like small storm lanterns) and they work a treat if you look at how many bugs I have to clean off them each weekend.

The once we have here cost about £10 each (approx $16) so $99 for 4 sounds expensive.

Bug zappers do kill a lot of bugs, but, as the post hints, they're not terribly effective against mosquitoes and kill many beneficial or harmless insects instead. They also have a tendency to spray both insect parts and various pathogens (viruses and bacteria) into the air. See this post by Iowa State's extension service (outreach to the public) summarizing the issues. So, hooray for solar, but these are not really a green solution for preventing mosquitoes bites.