Black Flag Bug Zappers-Review of Black Flag 4500 and 5500 Bug Zappers

[@user-up3ik4in2m]

I purchased two Black Flag 5500 bug zappers at the same time, both came with a black (faint purple-colored when lit) bulb. On one of the zappers the bulb was broke when I opened the box, so I purchased a white bulb, which is much brighter. The white bulbs are slightly more expensive than the black bulbs. I put both zappers next to each other about one foot apart. The next morning, the mesh grid on the black bulb zapper was completely full of bugs, while the mesh grid on the white bulb zapper was only half full of bugs. Even though the black bulb is BARELY noticeable when lit, it attracts bugs much better than the white bulb. Also, don't use a leaf blower on an older zapper -- it blew the bugs off along with my mesh grid insulators.

[@dbsmaybemodsrepairs]

That's really helpful to know! I never heard of a white bulb for those. Yeah- that black bulb is dim,but seems to do the trick. I use my air compressor to blow the bugs out,but, I'm certainly going to be careful. What do you think about the attractant : is it needed ? Thank you : )

[@mysciences]

Excellent thanks, was wondering if my big one was supposed to be darker in color light.

[@dbsmaybemodsrepairs]

Thank you!! Do you have both as well?

[@mysciences]

@@dbsmaybemodsrepairs hi, I had the small one but I returned it and got the big one. Since a small one work pretty well I figured I'd get the bigger one for bigger coverage but was very concerned because of the black light. I guess the black light is probably more heavy duty attracting.

[@dbsmaybemodsrepairs]

And hopefully even more extermination! :) Thanks again

[@mysciences]

Update. Doing a great job killing mosquitoes. This model is really challenging to disassemble because of the two screws of the bottom then you have to twist the cage. * Caution using compressed air to remove mosquitoes. Will damage the light bulb.

[@dbsmaybemodsrepairs]

RIGHT! I just put a mask on and blast them out with compressed air: I use my compressor and just run the hose and nozzle outside-but- it is so much better than trying to take it apart. I have not hung mine yet-but- have a new location with extension cord run already. Thanx for the update- that is really great news!!

[@DontBeAWhoreAnymoreJesusIsHere]

Which one works better? Are the bugs more or less attracted to the dimmer black light? Thanks!

[@bintangdomena]

Great question- I think the 5500 works better- and yes I do think that the dimmer black light might have something to do with it (along with actually being bigger). I have them in kinda close proximity to each other now; the smaller one is only about 3 feet away from the bigger one and only about 2 feet off the ground ( the bottom of the 5500 is about 6ft off the ground)as we have tiny mosquitoes that like to bite from the ankles up. It sort of is a side-by-side test now: when I blow them out the bigger 5500 has far more carcasses in it after an equal amount of time being on and I don't think that having the smaller 4500 at a much lower height is really all that influential overall- this summer is about over and I'm going to try another configuration next year just to experiment even more-sorry for the long reply 🙂

[@DontBeAWhoreAnymoreJesusIsHere]

@@bintangdomena I appreciate the long reply. 👍🏼 I just tried 3 different 20 watt zappers and a lot of the bugs just crawl around after, still alive. Or fly out of the tray when I open it. I will go get the 5500 today. Do you think it is safe to use indoors if I put something undeer to catch the bugs? It will not start a fire, lol? I have mosquitos and nats biting me inside my house. Thanks, bud!

[@dbsmaybemodsrepairs]

@@DontBeAWhoreAnymoreJesusIsHere I agree with Bintang Domena( thanx BTW) ! The bigger one is better, but, somehow the small one does have value and since mosquitoes are so small , I don't know which kills more of them... :) that being said, I would buy another 4500 and not another 4500... I am not sure if having one inside would work - are you predominantly concerned with mosquitoes? The instructions say not to hand it from a building etc, but ,maybe you could set it on a non combustible surface? There are slots on the bottom that I think help dead bugs fall through so as not to accumulate- keep that in mind! Thanks for the question!

[@kenken-sr2vq]

The large black flag zapper sucks . Dont waste your money on that brand I have 2 they suck. I bought the flowtron 1,000 better in attracting bugs.

[@dbsmaybemodsrepairs]

Thanks for the recommendation! My black flags have done a LOT better since I moved them to a shady location,but, I am ALWAYS ready to try ANYTHING to kill mosquitoes- BTW where did you get yours? Decent price? Thanks again !

[@aniceth53]

Kills everything but mosquitoes and flies. I bought the one with the purple light.

[@dbsmaybemodsrepairs]

Hi Aniceth, Last year I hung mine from the house eaves and , same as you; not effective. This year, I hung both under a fig tree farther away- huge improvement, virtually no mosquitoes. I don't know about flies though as I turn ours off during the day. We have fencing between the front and back yards that seems to be a barrier so we get mosquitoes at the front porch still :( I am going to get another one for that area. Thanks for the comment and I hope you find something that works!! BTW that is a very fun name - Aniceth- I've never seen that before...

[@ventilator98]

Black Flag bug zappers, SUCK!!! They're down right HORRIBLE!!!

[@dbsmaybemodsrepairs]

Thanks for the comment !🙂 For us- putting both in a shady area did the trick; we had nasty nasty tiger skeeters and now we don't ! I'm going to get another brand to compare them,maybe next year. The back yard is covered,but, the front porch still has a few tho nothing like before we got the black flag zappers