Nothing is more annoying than the constant buzz of flies and mosquito’s on a summers evening when trying to relax in the warm sunshine. The constant irritation of unhygienic flies landing on bare skin, food, drinks or just skimming your face makes life unpleasant. The problem is compounded if like me you have a water feature in close proximity to the patio or decking area where sadly the splash of water is like a call to arms for all of the local squadrons of flying nasties.
In the past I have used chemical means to control pests with varying success but with the recent addition of a family pet and frequent visits from siblings with kids for safety reasons the chemical solutions have had to fall by the wayside and an alternative sought. Thankfully a saviour arrived in the smart but functional Flowtron BK-80D electronic bug killer. Being electronic I was concerned for small fingers and paws but mounted out of reach and sporting no noxious chemicals I am happy this is a pet and kid friendly solution.
Depending on the size of yard Flowtron offer several variants, ranging from the BK-15D offering coverage for up to 1/2 acre, through to the BK-80D that we are reviewing here. In theory the BK-80D will cover up to 1 ½ acres, but whilst my garden is nowhere near this large, the marginal extra outlay over the smaller models was a no brainer.
The unit itself is solidly made from a durable and weatherproof black polycarbonate meaning no maintenance or fading, and comes equipped with two ultraviolet bulbs to attract the bugs. The unit was easy to install especially with the use of the optional secure wall bracket which I placed far enough from the house to be discrete, yet near enough to be effective. I also used the bundled mosquito pheromone pad for added attraction.
So how does it work? Well, admittedly it has only been in place for a little over a month now, but in that time there has been a marked reduction in the number of flies and bugs either buzzing around, or found dead in the conservatory, almost to the point of being none. At “busy” times the fizzing of the flies on the electrified grid can be heard, but the noise is oddly satisfying and a sure sign it is working. Thankfully the ultraviolet light bulbs are not too bright so aren’t a nuisance at night – in all honesty I don’t really notice them now. Running costs are light, a few pennies a day if that, and the cost of replacement bulbs and pheromone pads appears reasonable although I haven’t yet had to purchase either.
In conclusion – a well made and definitely effective solution, safe for kids and pets so all in all a resounding success. If like me you don’t like flies or find them a problem this is a must have piece of kit.
