Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Check out these 7 bug killers to kick out unwanted insect guests

Try these bug killer tools to get those pests out of your house once and for all

Man swatting a fly
Branislav Nenin / Shutterstock

When it comes to killing insects, bugs, flies, spiders, and other pesky creatures that invade your home, you probably resort to the old-school method of helplessly slapping a rolled-up newspaper in the direction of the insect, using an electronic bug zapper in the backyard, or attempting whichever "amazing bug-killing life hack!" just hit your TikTok For You page. There's really no need for any of that. Instead, we've found a whole host of products on the market now that can make bug-killing not only easy, but fun!

We've rounded up the best bug killer gadgets we could find so you don't have to worry about overwhelming insect swarms. From a salt gun to the OG fly killer, we've covered all your bug-killing needs below.

ZAP IT! Mini Bug Zapper
The Zap It! Electronic Fly Killer and Bug Racket
The updated classic
Jump to details
Huntsman Fly Swatter
Farmhouse Pottery Huntsman Fly Swatter
The old-school classic
Jump to details
Lentek 9.6V White and Blue Cordless Bug Catcher Handheld Vacuum
Lentek 9.6V White and Blue Cordless Bug Catcher Handheld Vacuum
The big gun
Jump to details
Bug-A-Salt Classic Yellow 3.0
Bug-A-Salt Classic Yellow 3.0
The high-powered blast
Jump to details
4pk Buginator Fly Swatter Guns Insect Bug Pest Killer Spring Loaded Shot Shooter
Buginator Fly Swatter Guns
The fun choice
Jump to details
My Critter Catcher
My Critter Catcher
The humane option
Jump to details
Predatory Plants Venus Flytrap 'B52'
Predatory Plants Venus Fly Trap 'B52'
The OG insect killer
Jump to details
A close-up of the Zap It! Electric Fly Swatter Racket & Mosquito Zapper.
Zap It!

The Zap It! Electronic Fly Killer and Bug Racket

No, that’s not a tennis racket! (Yet come to think of it, electric tennis would be fun.) Yes, it’s actually a fully-electric, bug zapping electronic fly swatter. Powered by a couple of batteries and your own muscular arms, the Zap It! will take out anything from a cicada to a spricket to a colony of house flies.

ZAP IT! Mini Bug Zapper
The Zap It! Electronic Fly Killer and Bug Racket
The updated classic
Someone holds the Farmhouse Pottery Huntsman Fly Swatter.
Farmhouse Pottery

Farmhouse Pottery Huntsman Fly Swatter

This isn't exactly a major technological development in the bug-killing world, but the aesthetics of this anything-but-common fly swatter certainly impresses. Gone is the flimsy metal handle and cheap plastic end-tab. Instead, this majestic flyswatter is a lathe-turned, hardwood oak shaft with a premium leather swatter and cast brass hardware. Yeah, it's fancy AF, and that's the whole point. Swat in style with this beautiful bug killer. It's a classic that you'll use for years to come.

Huntsman Fly Swatter
Farmhouse Pottery Huntsman Fly Swatter
The old-school classic
A close-up of the Lentek 9.6V White and Blue Cordless Bug Catcher Handheld Vacuum.
Lentek

Lentek 9.6V White and Blue Cordless Bug Catcher Handheld Vacuum

This unique vacuum lets you decide how much mercy to show bugs: A low-voltage grid inside kills on contact, but you can turn it off if you prefer a catch-and-release approach. Its high-powered suction system captures unwanted pests, this cordless handheld vacuum extends up to two feet, it uses no toxic sprays or chemicals, and it ensures an incredibly easy clean-up.

Lentek 9.6V White and Blue Cordless Bug Catcher Handheld Vacuum
Lentek 9.6V White and Blue Cordless Bug Catcher Handheld Vacuum
The big gun
A full view of the Bug-A-Salt 3.0.
Bug-A-Salt

Bug-A-Salt Classic Yellow 3.0

Shoot a high-powered stream of table salt and destroy flies instantly! Everyone from seniors in the neighborhood to army platoons stationed in the Middle East loves the Bug-A-Salt. Practice your marksmanship while freeing yourself from a very different type of "home invasion."

Bug-A-Salt Classic Yellow 3.0
Bug-A-Salt Classic Yellow 3.0
The high-powered blast
A close-up of a Buginator Fly Swatter Gun.
Buginator

Buginator Fly Swatter Guns

If you’ve got children, enlist them for a little insecticide. These fun toy guns shoot plastic plungers at high speeds at whatever bug is bothering you. Some customers have complained that these lack a string, so you have to go find the plunger after shooting, but anyone who complains about that clearly hasn’t heard of a piece of thread.

4pk Buginator Fly Swatter Guns Insect Bug Pest Killer Spring Loaded Shot Shooter
Buginator Fly Swatter Guns
The fun choice
A full view of the My Critter Catcher Spider & Insect Catcher.
My Critter Catcher

My Critter Catcher

If you’re someone who refuses to kill spiders, then this is the bug-grabber for you. Simply squeeze the trigger at the end of this wand and gentle brushes will clasp whatever insect you’re intent on trapping. Once caught, step outside and release the offender, allowing it to live another day.

My Critter Catcher
My Critter Catcher
The humane option
A close-up of the B52 Venus Flytrap.
Predatory Plants

Predatory Plants Venus Fly Trap 'B52'

Enjoy the deaths of flies without lifting a finger with a living Venus Fly Trap, the natural and original insect killer. For under $20, these little carnivorous plants can eat insects for up to 20 years!

Predatory Plants Venus Flytrap 'B52'
Predatory Plants Venus Fly Trap 'B52'
The OG insect killer

Frequently Asked Questions

Do bug traps work?

There are different kinds of bug traps and some are effective in trapping various types of insects. Here's a breakdown of some common bug traps and the insects they work against.

  • Fruit fly traps: These small traps use vinegar or other sweet attractants to lure fruit flies in. Once inside, the flies drown.
  • Fly paper: Sticky fly paper uses an adhesive substance to trap flies that land on it. This is a passive trap and not very effective for large fly populations.
  • Gnat traps: Similar to fruit fly traps, gnat traps use attractants like apple cider vinegar or rotting fruit to lure fungus gnats or drain flies.
  • Glue traps: These flat traps have a sticky surface that ensnares crawling insects like roaches, ants, or spiders.
  • Snap traps: Spring-loaded snap traps are designed to kill rodents like mice but can also be effective against some larger insects.
  • Intercept traps: These box-like traps with small entry points that allow insects to enter but make it difficult for them to escape. Many people use them for cockroaches or ants.
  • Mosquito traps: These traps use light, carbon dioxide emission (CO2), or heat to attract mosquitoes and then trap or kill them with various methods. Efficacy can vary depending on the trap type.
  • Bed bug traps: These passive traps aim to detect or capture bed bugs. Some are sticky traps, while others may contain lures or emit CO2.

We know it's not fun to think about bugs in the house, but hopefully you now know how to have fun while clearing crispy critters out of the house. For more helpful tips on keeping your home clean and welcoming, take a look at our guide for cleaning a home in 30 minutes or less, these 8 products to secure a complete sparkly clean, and these 9 simple steps to clean your mattress.

Now that we've gotten all of this out of the way, it's time to clean house!

Chase McPeak
Former Digital Trends Contributor

Chase McPeak is the former Lifestyle Editor. Chase regularly appeared on Beards, Booze, and Bacon: The Manual Podcast where he offered advice on style and grooming. He has also appeared on Oregon Public Radio's The Four Top. An avid hiker, outdoorsman, and traveler, Chase has been to 47 of the 50 United States and 11 countries and counting. Please reach out to The Manual editorial staff with any questions or comments about Chase’s work.

Andrew Davey

Andrew Davey is a writer who has spent a long time in "hard news" journalism, but who has also pursued interests in food and drinks, travel, entertainment, and wellness. Andrew particularly enjoys long walks along the beach, discovering new hiking trails, trying new restaurants, and getting a good night's sleep.

Send all editorial inquiries HERE.

Discover the best Disney+ movies to watch this January
If you're a Disney+ member, stream these movies this month
Princess Bride

Disney is arguably the most iconic entertainment brand in the world. The company's properties, both original and acquired, combine to produce content that transcends age demographics. Disney has built a brand that's beloved by children, and those children eventually age into adults who introduce their kids to the films they loved when they were young. Disney's animation alone has made it iconic, but in recent years, the company has also acquired some of the biggest pieces of intellectual property there are. And with Disney Plus available on any device, you can watch all these movies whenever you want.

Between its acquisitions of both Marvel and Star Wars, there's a good chance that Disney is shepherding whatever you love to screens, both large and small. When it launched Disney+, the company was sure to fill it with both those nostalgic animated classics and plenty of new stuff as well. If, like me, you've ever felt a twinge of nostalgia for the Disney movies you loved as a kid, they're all there. Just as importantly, though, you can find movies that will resonate with you today in ways they didn't as a kid. Whatever you're looking for, you can probably find it on Disney+.

Read more
January streaming guide: The best Netflix shows to enjoy
Binge-worthy Netflix series you don't want to miss
Bojack Horseman and Princess Caroline

TV may not be peaking quite the way it was a few years back, but there are still more than enough shows out there to keep you busy. After Netflix emerged on the scene and revolutionized how we all watched TV, it was joined by a huge swath of competitors determined to take advantage of the streaming boom. All of those competitors have great stuff to watch, but Netflix is still many people's hub for all things TV. Even within the streamer, though, it can be difficult to figure out what the best shows on Netflix are.

As the very first streamer, Netflix has a pretty strong hold on my imagination about what streaming TV should be. And given the long list of great titles you'll see below, it's clear that you could watch Netflix shows for several years without running out of interesting things to check out.

Read more
What to watch: The best shows on Hulu in January
Looking for a new binge series? Here are the best you can stream on Hulu right now
Jeremy Allen White in The Bear.

There was a time when great TV was hard to come by. While not every TV show is great, these days it can sometimes feel like viewers have the opposite problem. There are simply too many shows, and too many streaming services, to choose from. Thankfully, the best shows on Hulu are also among the best shows you can watch anywhere. From new originals to legacy series from decades past, it has tons of shows that will fill the hours of your day.
Those archival shows are hugely important to me, because they helped me define the kind of TV I really loved. Sprawling mysteries, intricate characters, and plenty of high stakes drama unify many of the titles on this list. There are also some, though, that I just think are really funny.
You're probably aware that, while Hulu shows are great, it's far from the only streaming service with plenty of TV to offer. So whether you’re looking for the best Amazon Prime shows, the best Disney+ shows, or the best Netflix shows, we've got you covered. Below, we'll dig into the best shows on Hulu that you can watch now.

Shōgun (2024)

Read more