I Tried Every Bug Spray, Candle and Zapper on the Market. Only One Actually Worked.

James. T — Outdoor Living | 4 min read | May 2026

Summary: How a $50 solar zapper finally did what $200 worth of bug spray, candles and cheap zappers couldn't.

Note: After reading this, you'll never waste money on bug spray again.

It was a Tuesday evening in late February. I had spent the entire weekend setting up the patio. New chairs. String lights. A proper outdoor speaker, outdoor games for the kids. My wife had been asking me to sort it out for months and I had finally done it.

We lasted 22 minutes outside before the mosquitoes won. My Wife was mad, my kids were mad, and I was mad at myself for letting it happen.

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Nothing worked.

Over the next three weeks I tried everything. Citronella candles, they smell nice but do absolutely nothing past arm's length. DEET spray, works but I am not spraying that on my kids every single night.

Those plug-in electric zappers need an outlet, the cord reaches maybe 10 feet, and half the time I am bringing an extension lead out to the patio like an idiot. I bought two different cheap solar zappers off Amazon, and each one I returned after a day.

I had spent close to $200 across bug spray, candles, and two useless zappers. My backyard was still unusable after 5pm.

About three weeks ago I was at my neighbour's place for a drink. We sat outside from 6pm until nearly midnight. Not one mosquito. Not one slap of an arm. Not one person retreating inside. I assumed he had done something special with the landscaping.

Then I noticed the black device staked in the lawn near the garden bed, quietly glowing violet in the dark.

That was the Solazar.

I instantly went straight too the site and ordered one. Here is why Solazar works when everything else doesn't. Most cheap bug zappers use a basic white bulb that insects aren't even particularly attracted to. The Solazar uses a 365–395nm UV light, the specific wavelength that flying insects are most drawn to.

Mosquitoes, flies, gnats, wasps, moths, they can't help themselves. The moment they enter the wire grid they hit 4500 volts and that's it. Instant. Silent except for the zap.

The solar panel charges the built-in battery all day. When the sun goes down a light sensor detects the darkness and the UV grid switches on automatically. No timer. No app. No switch. 

It just works. On a full charge it runs for up to 12 hours, enough to go from sunset to sunrise.

If you've had a cloudy run of days there's a USB-C port on the side for a backup charge in about 4 hours. It covers up to a full acre. I have a standard suburban backyard and one unit is more than enough.

It's also IPX5 waterproof rated. I left mine out during a full rainstorm last week and it kept zapping all night and morning. 

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Now every single one of our patio BBQs is a success. Last weekend we had eight people over and stayed outside until midnight without a single complaint.

My neighbour from two doors down came over, noticed there wasn't a mosquito in sight, and asked me what I had done differently. I pointed at the Solazar staked in the lawn. He ordered one before he got home.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Ricky — Verified buyer "It is so satisfying to sit outside at night, sip a cocktail with my bride and listen to bugs die. Mine sees the sun for about 4 hours a day and that gets it working almost all the way through the night until sunrise. My wife says damn it, you should have brought the zapper on our camping trip. Point taken."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Mandy Lynch — Verified buyer "Love how these are working out. Mosquitoes are few and far between. We have recommended these to everyone and they have also purchased one. They last until at least 5:30am covering the entire front of our home. Can't wait to be mosquito free on our patio all summer."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Maria Aguilar — Verified buyer "This exceeded my expectations and is definitely one of my best outdoor purchases. It zapped all night long. I never thought the sound would bring so much happiness but it got the job done. I use it in my backyard and for camping. Would buy again and recommend."

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Solazar is currently available with free shipping on bundled orders. It comes with a 30-night money back guarantee — if your yard isn't bug-free you pay nothing. Stock sells out regularly during all seasons so if it shows as available I would grab it now.

⭐ 4.8 from 1,284 reviews

Solar powered. Runs all night. Eliminates mosquitoes, flies and wasps across a full acre. Zero chemicals. Safe for kids and pets.

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⭐ 4.8 from 1,284 reviews

Solar powered. Runs all night. Eliminates mosquitoes, flies and wasps across a full acre. Zero chemicals. Safe for kids and pets.

CHECK AVAILABILITY
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