Flys have their uses in nature but for most people, they can be a nuisance. Various types can bring various diseases to homes but also they can ruin food, lay eggs and generally be annoying.

When one thinks about getting rid of them, the first solution that comes to mind is bug spray. Bug sprays are effective, no doubt, but can be hazardous to breathe in and are a bad idea around children.

An even more efficient and convenient option is the electric fly swatter. While effective, you may be wondering whether it’s humane to use them. Here we’ll give you all the information you need to decide for yourself.

What Are Electric Fly Swatters?

Sometimes referred to as a hand bug zapper/stunner, this device knocks out small flies and other insects from around the house in a quick and deadly manner. It is a handheld, battery-powered zapper that resembles a small badminton or tennis racket.

The long neck or the fly swatter handle is usually where the batteries are stored. These batteries come in rechargeable types as well as the replacing type. The grid on its face is specially designed with electrically conductive strands to deliver around 500 to 2000 high voltage zaps to the flying insects.

This screen is not toxic and doesn’t include other chemicals. You just get the terrifying zapping electric grid on the face which is enough to electrocute the flying insects instantly and kill them without the need of any spray.

It is also reported to have said that this zap racket can even stun the most determined crawling six-legged invader with its electric flash without mess resulting from the discharge of the creature’s body. These dazed insects can later be collected and removed from the area at once.

The History of Electric Fly Swatters

The first modern bug destructive device was invented in 1900, made of elastic and durable wire netting attached to a long handle for gripping. The material of the netting was modified to reduce wind drag and better the swinging motion.

Improvising and updating the device, it eventually became the battery-powered electric fly swatter racket we talk of today. It took many decades of gradual transformation through experience and thought processes.

These initial electric fly killers have advanced enough to include the fly swatters of today. It’s a better solution of older and less technical solutions like fly paper (a sticky paper that traps the insect), fly bottles (a container containing an attractive liquid substance for the insects to get trapped) and the famous venus flytrap (a plant that eats flies and other little insects).

Do Electric Fly Swatters Kill?

Why consider the electric bug swatters over other measures? Are the results reliable? Can they be trusted? These questions are quite valid and have been answered through actual research conducted on them and based on the users’ reviews.

The electric fly swatter is a battery-powered pest control measure that effectively works on all small insects whether you want to get rid of deer flies or kill mosquitoes. The danger of bug spray getting in direct contact with our eyes or inhaling it is non-existant as these fly swatters are odorless.

Some even have an ultraviolet light which attracts flying insects, making them much easier to kill. With these electronic fly killers, it is clear that their performance is very good.

It’s great for a smaller insect like a fly or a mosquito but that electric crackle may even kill a wasp too. Wasps won’t be attracted to the light source but with a good swing of a large electric bug zapper, they will be killed or stunned at the very least. For killing flies indoors, one of these powered bug zappers is going to get the job done.

Are Electric Fly Swatters Cruel?

It can be considered normal to have a perception of the swatters as merciless executioners. However, these insect stunner light traps have been marketed extensively for the past several years as claiming to provide rapid relief from the annoying mosquitoes and other insects that interfere in our comfort zones. They don’t kill in a sadistic way and instead the electrified grid gives them a very quick way with a little electricity.

Killing the wrong bugs in masses may not seem to be an pleasant approach in any way as it might result in negatively impacting the ecosystem of the natural cycle. A sensible option to be considered would be to only allow the usage of this device when required.

Are Bug Zappers Ethical?

There are many beneficial insects which play an important role in the environment. The truth is, electric bug zappers are only going to kill a small number of insect pests and the effect on the environment is going to be low and a very obvious change in the ecosystem just simply isn’t going to happen.

It’s a household device which will control control mosquitoes, kill parasitic wasps, get rid of bed bugs, repel flies, and any other insect pests. It does so in a way which is a lot quickly than other methods. A fly zapper is perhaps the most ethical way to control flying pests in your home.

How To Safely Use Fly Swatters?

According to some studies conducted, it has been known that the usage of fly swatters around food or other consumer goods might be considered dangerous due to UV light exposure. Naturally, this radiation exposure is extremely small, but you don’t want to keep it continually on.

Another simple but essential measure to take, while handling the swatter, is to avoid water contact at all. The consequence of such a case will be fairly obvious and is likely to result in permanent damage to the electronic insect killer.

Children should be well aware of the zapper’s danger, besides the attractive, satisfying zap burn sounds. It might be better for under-age children to be kept away from the racket at all. These devices can look fairly inconspicuous so be sure not to leave them lying around.

In terms of ethics, ultraviolet light draw insects in and the contact generates a charge that will kill them. While it’s highly effective, it’s best to only use it when you need too. Limited use will also limit the number of dead bugs in your home which also isn’t pleasant.

Final Thoughts

Are they humane?

That’s up to you to decide. They are as humane as it gets. I feel a little guilty when I spray toxic and other chemicals on them and you hear them buzzing around for a few minutes before they did. A great swatter will kill them instantly and without any pain.

If you want to quickly get rid of flys in your home then you’re not going to find a more humane method than a swatter. You can instantly solve your pest problem without worrying about them having a cruel death.