The Best Bug-Killing Gear | Reviews by Wirecutter
We’ve tested and evaluated a number of other fly-related products and found many of them to be effective to varying degrees, but they have enough downsides that we can’t fully recommend them. Some may work in your own situation.
The Bug-A-Salt 3.0 has the look and feel of a Nerf gun, but it shoots a small burst of table salt that, theoretically, will kill a fly. It’s certainly entertaining to use, but it’s not very practical and, honestly, not all that effective. There were times when we could kill a fly in a single shot, but it often took two and sometimes three shots. Hornets and wasps typically took five or six shots to kill. The Bug-A-Salt is also for outdoor use only—we tested it indoors and salt just ends up everywhere. It’s good for a laugh or for sitting on a deck and picking off any flies that land on the railing, but beyond that, we’ll pass.
We also tested the Harbor Freight Electronic Fly and Insect Swatter (which looks very similar to the Zap It). At $5, it’s a lot cheaper than The Executioner. This lower cost is directly reflected in the overall quality of the item. In the hands it feels flimsy and very breakable. What’s more, the model we purchased from Harbor Freight didn’t even work.
The Catchmaster Window Fly Traps, clear sticky traps that adhere to a window, were a previous pick, but after using them long-term, we’re finding issues with getting the adhesive off the window. They’re also pretty gross to have around. They’re ideal for an attic or garage space, where the windows are generally out of the way, but we don’t think they’re a fit for a living area.
We opted not to test any fly ribbons, such as the Pic FR10B Fly Ribbon, or the Terro T518 Fly Magnet. We’ve used enough of these in the past to conclude that there is very little difference from brand to brand. Every one we’ve used has been an effective, yet ugly, weapon in our annual fight against houseflies. If you’re really infested, they can be a good option, but you’ve got to look at them.
Bait traps, such as the Rescue Outdoor Disposable Fly Trap and the Victor Fly Magnet, are good for large-scale trapping and killing of flies, but they come with a strong trade-off. To use one, you add water to the container to activate the bait and then hang it from a tree branch or a hook; the top of the bag has a one-way entrance that traps the flies. The problem is that the bait smells like 500 pounds of hot death. Just horribly, horribly awful. With massive outdoor fly infestations, these traps are a great option—just make sure to position them downwind of the house.
The Gardner FlyWeb Classic Fly Light, a previous pick, attracts flies with a proprietary UV bulb; once inside the housing, flies are trapped on a sticky board. In our testing, the FlyWeb was a decent trapper, but it’s expensive, and it requires an outlet in addition to ongoing maintenance (new bulbs and new sticky pads). We also didn’t like how much attention the light brought to the fly-covered sticky paper. We have to wonder if this is the same “Bug Light” handling the flies at the White House.
