I have been using one for each tent for a number of years with great success. I have seen few if any other postings concerning these other than mine. Do you use this on your BW trips? Have you used them and stopped? Why have you not used these on your trips?

I use bug whackers for the following reasons.

Kills mosquitoes .

No mess from smashed bugs.

Fewer missed mosquitoes which when missed by hand, can fall into hard to find areas. They come back later. Often while I sleep.

Hints:

Keep bug whackers dry. I bag them in good plastic bags.

Come at bugs from below if possible.

Get one for each tent.

What brand?

I started bringing one about two years ago on trips in late May, June and July. I got one after a trip where, after letting myself and two dogs into the tent, I’d spend 30 minutes trying to kill all 50 or so mosquitos that got in. The zapper makes quick work of them. I also usually trip with a bug net for under the tarp in these months, and find it equally helpful there with the bugs that find their way in. Not just for mosquitos, but deer and horse flies, but sometimes it doesn’t kill the big ones - just stuns them. Black flies are small and sometimes get through the wires, but not always. That ZAP sound is really gratifying. I also use it all summer at home for fruit flies.

What I don’t like about it is it seems sort of fragile so I’m careful how it gets packed. I also remove the batteries because I don’t want the button to get pushed by accident and sizzle something in my pack.

Our friends brings a bug zapper with then on camping trips with a camper. Sitting around the fire ring he just pulls out this thing and zaps the flies and mosquitoes. I had my doubts about this thing but it really works great. Racket Zapper

Wouldn't it be easier to go when there are no bugs? I wouldn't want our camp listening to "zaps" all night.

ockycamper: "Wouldn't it be easier to go when there are no bugs? I wouldn't want our camp listening to "zaps" all night."

It’s hard to paddle a canoe in January! Besides, I find the 5 or so minutes of zapping is infinitely preferable to the periodic buzzing by my ear all night long.

ockycamper: "Wouldn't it be easier to go when there are no bugs? I wouldn't want our camp listening to "zaps" all night."

That's pretty funny. You mean the north pole?

We go every year mid to late September. Never had any bugs

Mickeal: "What brand?"

Bought mine from Harbor Freight. Seems pretty generic label. was under $10.00 back when.

As far as going in September, not everyone can do that for a variety of reasons. There is a cost to going in September not realized in the high summer. I would rather carry a light whacker than the extra clothing or more food probably needed in September.

Even so, if everyone from June to mid-August converted to September, the current crowding for those months would seem like solitude by comparison. Getting a permit would be impossible for most. Summer outfitting business would end. Many other economic problems for local businesses as well. Probably would make illegal entry issues worse too.

No need for Forest service patrolling in the summer either. The new logistical issues for all concerned would be consequential.

Get a whacker if you must still go in the high summer months. It is worth it.