Customer Reviews

Flowtron BK-15D Electronic Insect Killer, 1/2-Acre Coverage

5 star:		(126)
4 star:		(51)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(24)

 

 

There are several different versions of this product, each one for increasingly large areas. This one--the smallest--is good for up to half an acre of protection. It's the perfect size for a large patio or deck and a modest lawn. Some may not like the zapping sound interrupting their nighttime outdoor fun, but it is probably the most environmentally-sensitive way to rid your lawn and patio of bugs. The 15 watts of power needed to run this machine also make it one of the cheapest bug eliminators.

One of the great things about this model is unheralded in the list of features Amazon gives. With the addition of an (included) strip of UV-activated bait, it's positively lethal against mosquitos. We've found it to be much more effective than citronella torches.

About the only thing that mars this otherwise excellent device is the need to place it in front of the area you mean to protect. This would typically mean placing it away from a house, not next to it. Depending on your particular site, this can mean using extension cords, which come with their own set of safety issues. Happily, however, this is an extremely energy-efficient device, so it's definitely not going to break your electricity budget.

I was so tired of replacing my bug zappers and had a hard time finding one that would last more than one season without the bulb burning out. I reviewed several on line as all I could find in the stores were the Stingers, and I definitly didn't want another one of those. The Flowtron I ordered worked so well that my dad had to have one too. We bought an extra bulb just in case, but neither one of us has had to replace one yet. This zapper works so much better than any I have ever tried. I noticed right away a huge difference in my flying bug problem. I live next to a lake in Florida, so you can imagine the mosquito battle I had. Now I can sit outside in the evenings and enjoy the peaceful setting without continuously swatting bugs. I bought the 1 acre light and my dad only needed the 1/2 acre one. Both do a great job and would highly recommend a Flowtron Zapper to all in need.

I have used these for a few years. They are the same ones sold under the Sears label. Experiment with the height from the ground for different types of bugs. For mosquitos, place no more than six feet from the ground. Place in a shallow tray of water and watch the kill rate! Do not immerse any part of bulb or grid in water (rain won't harm it).

Length:: 2:14 Mins

The box states that the unit has a patented non-clogging grid, but it does clog - a lot in my case. It does require maintenance, and besides that, I still get bit by mosquitoes (though not as often as before). I actually got bit in the few minutes I was outside making the video!

Some reviewers said they used a hair dryer to clean it, but I think it would take more pressure than that to clean mine. I might have to use canned air or something else. I recommend the unit because it does help, but just realize that you will have to clean it just like the Stinger brand zappers.

UPDATE: I used the water hose to clean it off, which made easy work of those clogged bugs. I waited 24 hours (to be on the safe side) before plugging it back in. It lit up without a hitch. It's like new and working as it had right out of the box.

UPDATE (Aug 2010): The unit is no longer clogging! I guess once the metal loses it's shiny new-ness, the bugs don't stick. I haven't had to clean the unit at all since I plugged it in this fall. I seem to have fewer mosquito bites this year, but I'm definitely not sure whether that is related to the point at which I began using it this year (versus being a bit "late" in buying one last year).

Recieved this device, along with the spare bulb I purchased, and plugged it in 30 minutes ago about eight feet from my favorite couch.

It has already zapped well over a dozen bugs. Instead of using chemicals as I have in the past, sought a better way to rid my home interior of bugs. The noise is minimal.

Like one reviewer said: the cord is short- real short. Less than a foot. It's working beautifully. Now, just need to replace my roach baits and I'll be ready for the summer bug season here in my sub tropical, coastal, bug infested location.

Will likely need to fabricate a tray device to catch dead bugs as they fall. Think I'm gonna like this thing.

Update: It has now been five days since I received my 15 watt Flowtron bug zapper and I'm happy with it. It has been on 24/7 since I plugged it in. It's not terribly bright which makes for a soft night light for my den. As I kicked back with my laptop tonight and listened to a bug fry every now and then, just ordered two more 40 watt Flowtron units. Hope to have a very bug free summer in my home.

Be advised that these things do not discriminate between benificial bugs that we need for pollination of plants and such. Therefore, there is valid scientific criticism regarding their indiscriminate outdoor useage. Any bug inside my home is fair game. It did not zap every last bug but it has put a big dent in my bug population. My cats don't quite know what to think of it yet.

Update #2: Before buying my first Flowtron, sought information to help me decide what size unit to buy. Have now tried out a 40 watt model in my home. It works well, is significantly larger than my 15 watt unit and the transformer hum is a little bit louder. The bulb in the 40 watt Flotron cost twice as much to replace. Leave the 15 watt unit on 24/7 inside. It works well and uses less power. The 40 watt units are brighter and would be my choice for serious outdoor useage. Will use both of the 40 watt units if needed and turn them off when I go indoors.

Now, leave my door open longer when going to and fro knowing the 15 watt bug zapper is always at work inside. It's popping a bug every few minutes or so tonight. Should be able to use significantly less insecticide in my home now.

They do not zap every bug but work quite well. Only notice the 15 watt model eight feet from me when a bug gets zapped. Flowtron seems to make a solid, well thought out American made bug zapper and stand behind them.

June 25 2009: My 15 watt bug zapper has been on nonstop since I first plugged it in over a month ago. It has been frying bugs in my house day and night trouble free. Have not cleaned it yet. One of my cats runs and hides sometime when a big bug makes more noise than usual. If and when this one quits, will get another 15 watt model for my home interior. It does not zap them all but sure helps a lot.

July 29 2009: A house fly was bugging me bad in my home the night before last. Knew that if I was patient, the annoying little bug would find his way to my 15 watt flowtron at some point just like many before him. Sure enough, as I went to sleep, he fried- well done. Have used very little insecticide this summer in my home with this thing working 24/7 nonstop and consuming only 15 watts of electricity. Wish I had thought of using one of these things sooner. My jumpy male cat has gotten more use to it now. Would go with a 40 or 80 watt model for heavy duty outdoor use at night. The 15 watt size is perfect for my indoor purposes. Still haven't cleaned it. It's right trouble free. There is a bit of an odor when a house fly or large bug gets zapped. That's no problem relative to getting rid of the bugs.

April 8, 2010 : Since this makes a good night light, left it on all winter. Have not turned it off since I first plugged it in. It just zapped one of those large, lanky, mosquito looking type bugs. Was wondering how long it would take for him to get fried (about an hour since I first saw him). Have not needed the spare 15 watt bulb yet. With ten boxes of fresh new roach baits, am ready for bug season again. May mount one of my 40 watt Flowtron units inside this Summer if needed.

August 6, 2010: It's time to deal with hurricanes, bugs and heat now. My trusty 15 watt Flowtron is busy tonight for I have little nats and other flying bugs in my house. That same 15 watt unit has been on nonstop since I first plugged it in- same bulb with no problems. Just needs some cleaning up now and then. At less than $30 currently with shipping, think I'll buy another 15 watt unit to put in the other end of my home. Need to step up my roach battle also. Have four tubes of roach gel. It's impossible to keep them out around here. Like living near the ocean even with the bugs. Before I got this device, used insecticide (flying insect killer) every second or third day during the tropical season. Now, have not gassed my whole house like I use to do yet this summer. Surely that is healthier than the chemicals I used before. It keeps the bugs under control- they don't bother me with this device in service 24/7. Just use common sense if you intend to use it indoors. Keep it away from all flammable things. It's an electrical device that'll have dead bugs falling from it.

May 10, 2011: Ordered two 18" round pizza pans to suspend below my indoor units in order to catch most of the zapped bugs as they fall. Some black coat hanger wire and a drill should do the trick. Have not had my bug zappers on yet and I can really tell the difference inside already. Bought six cans of Raid insecticide for the summer. A roach actually bit me on my right arm tonight. He's high on Raid now. Wish I could find something like this Flowtron device to help zap the big roaches as they somehow find a way inside. It takes time for them to find the roach baits that are all over the home where food and water are available. There's no way to keep them out around here.

I purchased 2 of the Stinger products and used them for a week. They killed about 20 bugs. I took them back. Stinger products are sold at Menard's, Home Depot and Lowe's- but...the products are almost useless.

I then purchased the Flowtron product from Amazon (1/2 acre, free shipping) and it killed over 200 bugs in one night. I just ordered another one along with the hanging bracket.

Hang at a 6-8' level away from your doors (I mounted mine about 30 feet away from my house). Use an outdoor rated extension cord. Buy the heavy-duty outdoor timer (3 prong Intermatic HB300RCL) from Lowe's (10.97). Be prepared to clean off the unit (unplug it first) almost daily. I just unplug the power cord, plug in a blow dryer- high speed, cool air- and blow off the bugs from the grid) then I plug the unit back in. Keep the unit away from gasoline and other flammable liquids.

Did a great job on killing mosquitoes, which is the only reason that I bought the product!

The 15-watt bulb will cost about $1.00 per month in electricity.

I also purchased the Dynatrap from Amazon for my inside garage area (about 99.00). Great product, but you must leave it on at all times otherwise the bugs will escape.

The Dynatrap is quiet as a church mouse, but it doesn't kill the bugs, it just traps them into a screened in area. You have to quickly shut the unit off, put a bag over the bottom of the unit and force all of the bugs into an empty plastic shopping bag.

Thank you Amazon.

We have had the compact size 15 watt Flowtron Electronic Bug Killers for over seven years. And they work very well, and always on guard. We have one in the bedroom and one in the living room and they are kept on 24 hours/day. We recently bought a replacement 15-watt Bug Killer to replace one in which the Ultra-Violet (UV)-bulb starter finally failed after many years of faithful service. (Starter is not customer replaceable and Bug Killer must be shipped to the factory for replacement, so we thought it better to buy a brand new model.) These Bug Killers are well worth it, and kill those mosquitoes and other biting insects which formerly (before we had the Bug Killers) would bite and leave months-long bite infections and scars. We keep an aluminum pan under the Bug Killer, and it is satisfying to see the dead electrocuted insects when we empty the pan. We have not had an insect bite for a long time thanks to these Electronic Bug Killers. We also keep spare UV bulbs on hand as replacements (we buy the spare bulbs directly from Flowtron).

Length:: 1:39 Mins

This unit specializes in one thing and does it well, zapping bugs. Wait for dusk, plug it in, and watch them fry. It accurately keeps bugs away within the advertised 1/2 acre range, while providing the added benefit of entertainment. Don't try to make a drinking game to this kill tool, you will be wasted, possibly dead within minutes (just like the bugs). I feel warm and fuzzy inside when I see the blueish/violet light glow. To the people who say it doesn't kill the mosquitos, you're dead wrong (no pun intended). Even without the mosquito bait, this thing attracts them and keeps the pests off people/pets. Don't waste your money on inferior brands such as Stinger and Honeywell, this IS the one you want. I've had the Flowtron BK-15D for about 2 months now. It has seen some serious weather, and seems completely unaffected by it. Just make sure to clean with compressed air or a leaf blower periodically to keep the kill grid clear for maximum effectiveness. It has taken care of the spring bugs mightily, and with a hot and humid summer approaching, I can't wait to see this thing "do work, son...do work." I'll make a video tonight to prove the effectiveness. Stay tuned!

I am graphic designer. I have international customers so this means I work days and nights very frequently. And because of the difference in our GMT I use to work at nights more than ever.

Between me and my 28" monitor screen -which produces a lot of light- used to fly hundred of termites. These bugs are attracted by the light, and I don't know how but they always found the way to violate the security of my sealed window to come inside my room and "dance" in front of my face!. I just can't find the words to express how annoying this situation was!

Since I have my Flowtron this situation became a bad memory of the past!!!!

This lamp is gorgeous, I must say! I installed it just right out of my window, so the termites are attracted FIRST by the Flowtron light BEFORE the light on my room. So now the only thing I hear is the happy sound "BZZZ" when the bugs find their end into this glorious lamp.

Btw that "BZZZ" sound does not disturb me at all. Even I love when it sounds because it (first) confirms me the Flowtron is working in a perfect shape, and (second) makes me smile every time it sounds because it means I WON my fight against those little bastards!!!

Here, while I write this review, I could count more than 100 "BZZZ". That means 100 termites LESS who didn't come inside!

I installed a switch inside my room which controls the on/off of my Flowtron, so even I don't need to go out to my backyard to turn on my Flowtron, I control all the operation from the inside! Very convenient! (Note: the switch is NOT included in the Flowtron box. This is a custom installation I did myself).

I got the ˝ acre coverage; my backyard is much smaller than that and this thing works perfect.

The construction of the lamp is very decent; even it looks great as if it were part of the deco in my backyard.

I bought also a replacement bulb (in advance) because when the actual one goes out I don't want to find myself unprotected!!! Since I got my Flowtron just 15 days ago I can't testify how long the bulb lasts, but honestly I don't care!; if this thing works as it has demonstrated I'll be happy to buy more future replacements, even if this come to happen in short periods!

In conclusion, this is the BEST solution I've found to solve my problem. This Flowtron bugs killer works FANTASTIC!

To end my review, I want to share with you that I have a lovely population of salamanders (small lizard) in my backyard. They are my allied because these little guys use to hunt termites. They just don't eat enough to solve my problem, but they eat termites anyway. Now with my Flowtron I've found the salamanders in the floor eating termites happily (where the termites fall after shock). Yes sir!, "roasted" termites for my friends the salamanders in my own Roasted Termite Restaurant! :-)

Thanks for reading, Juan

This bug popper really does a great job. You do have to clean it ever so often. Really has controlled the mosquitos and knats. I recommend this to anyone with an average size yard.