Stinger, Because the Best Bugs Are the Dead Ones

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We recently received almost 5″ of rain at our house, and although we desperately needed it, the tradeoff was made in bugs, bug, and more bugs! No problem, though, as I had recently received a package from Stinger. Inside were their No Touch Fly Trap and their On-the-Go Zapper Racket. Bugs beware; I am now on the prowl!

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Is the camouflage there so that bugs won’t see the swatter coming? 😉

It wasn’t too long ago that I reviewed the full-size Stinger, and we still keep that swatter hanging on a hook in our mud room — ever ready for service in the kitchen, laundry room, or wherever else it is needed. Now we have a smaller version that is perfect for slipping under the living room couch for those all-too-often times when a moth ventures onto our television screen or starts buzzing around the ceiling fan light.

The cool thing about the Stinger On-the-Go Racket is that it is smaller than its larger sibling, so it is easier to pack, stow, or hide. Because it takes two AA batteries, there are no cords are chargers necessary, and the batteries seem to last for months. The downside to the smaller size is a smaller frying surface; you have to be quick and ready to swat at a moment’s notice.

I’m not going to lie … there is something disturbingly pleasant about watching a bug that has been bothering you get zapped; the smell some bugs emit as they are electrocuted can be obnoxious, though.

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We’ll be getting quite a bit of use from the mini Stinger Racket this season; you can pick yours up directly from the manufacturer for 7.99. They come in black pink, or the camo I received.

Have you had an influx of flies this spring going into summer? We sure have. I don’t know if the rain made it worse or if it was just time for a population explosion, but meals outside are a bit tricky with all of the flies trying to help partake. Unacceptable.

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To combat that, we have installed the Stinger No Touch Fly Trap, which is a definite step up from the usual plastic baggie-type fly traps we’ve used in the past. These traps, once the water has been added and the powder inside has had a chance to activate emit a smell that is best described as a cross between rotting meat and death-breath. The smell carries, too — so you want to be sure to install it at least 20 feet away from where you like to hang out or eat.

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Even though you’ll find the smell offensive and foul, bugs will think that they’ll found Christmas in June, and everything from moths, to mosquitoes, to flies will want to come check out dinner. And once they do … they fall right in and can’t get out.

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Evidently flies are attracted to decoys. Silly flies.

The more bugs get trapped and die inside, the stronger the smell, which means even more bugs will want to check it out. See how that works? You’ve gotta love it.

Unlike the traps I’ve used before, where you throw the whole thing away once it is full, this one has a baggie inside the lid that can be removed and discarded. That’s assuming you can stand to come within 10 feet of it, of course. But assuming you can and you do, once you’ve pulled out the old baggie you can put another one in its place. New fly bait baggies can also be ordered to keep on hand. You can get the fly trap and refill baggies directly from the manufacturer for $9.99 and $5.99, respectively.

If bugs are becoming a concern for you, then you’ll want to check out all of Stinger’s backyard and indoor pest control items. We probably need to order some more of those fly traps and the replacement baggies. =P

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About the Author

Judie Lipsett Stanford
Judie is the co-owner and Editor-in-Chief of Gear Diary, which she founded in September 2006. She started in 1999 writing software reviews at the now-defunct smaller.com; from mid-2000 through 2006, she wrote hardware reviews for and co-edited at The Gadgeteer. A recipient of the Sigma Kappa Colby Award for Technology, Judie is best known for her device-agnostic approach, deep-dive reviews, and enjoyment of exploring the latest tech, gadgets, and gear.