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

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.


Bugs Beware   August 14, 2005
Muriel Thompson (Daytona, Florida USA)
66 out of 66 found this review helpful

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.


Durable, effective on mosquitos, USA made   August 28, 2004
vintagerider (Bay Area)
60 out of 60 found this review helpful

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).


15 watt Flowtron vs 40 watt model   May 20, 2009
Bob
57 out of 58 found this review helpful

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.


Flowtron BK-15D 15-Watt Electronic Bug Killer   April 8, 2001
29 out of 30 found this review helpful

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).