Flowtron Model BK-40D Electronic Insect Killer (One Acre Coverage)

Before buying this product, think of a way to hang it some place. I put mine on a deck table but its a little wobbly and may fall over if there's a strong gust of wind.

I can't identify most of the bugs killed by the zapper, some are small green thinggy with wings and some of rather big long flying bug. It did killed a lady bug however, not sure if that's a good thing or not.


Works As Advertised   July 8, 2007
Howard Nemerov (TX, United States)
15 out of 17 found this review helpful

The first two nights of use, I placed newspaper under the unit to catch most of the insects eliminated by the Flowtron Model 40. I determined that it does indeed kill mosquitoes. Living in central Texas, this is vitally important to us in order to better enjoy our backyard deck. I did not install the included octenol lure, because experience and expert advice both indicate that this particular attractant actually repels Asian Tiger Mosquitoes, which we have far more of than other species. The Flowtron also kills non-target insects, such as beetles and moths. If you are uncomfortable with this fact, then look at the more expensive units like a Skeeter Vac, which also does a good job on all mosquito species without using attractants. (If you live in an area without Asian Tigers, try the octenol lure on your unit and determine its efficacy yourself.) However, moths are a nuisance insect, damaging clothing and leaving caterpillars to eat my plants.

I read comments that this unit kills beneficial insects. Being an organic gardener, I have not found any dead beneficial insects (major species like ladybugs, lacewings, trichogramma wasps, etc.) under my unit, but I only use it at night, when I observe little or no flying activity by such insects. You will have to make your own determination on this issue as well, if you intend to run the Flowtron during the day. It would be good if there was a Lurex bait for this unit to better attract Asian Tigers, but I did not mark down for this because the unit works as advertised and I am satisfied with its performance as part of my multi-tiered approach to enhancing our back yard enjoyment.


Excellent at zapping bugs   August 2, 2005
Jim Batterton (Connecticut, USA)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

I live in an area of tons of flying insect of all sizes. Being in a rural area, and having some of the only lights on in the area, flying insects come in droves to my house at night. Since putting up this bug zapper, I have seen a noticable decrease in the amount of bugs flying around the outdoor lights, etc. It really works well!