How to Build a Portable Bug Zapper

This instructable shows you how to build your own bug zapper using recycled parts and is general in its suggestions. To see how I built my bug zapper, you can visit my website's bugzapper page here.

Now having said that, there are countless of ways to build a bug zapper. It all depends on the types of bugs you're targeting and the size of the bug zapper you want to build. Also the design plays a huge part in the effectiveness of the bug zapper.

Update! For more info about how bug zappers work, you can refer to this link

Disclaimer
I am not liable if your shock yourself or injury yourself, working with high voltages is very dangerous!!

The tools that I used were a Dremel tool kit with cutting accessories and some basic tools such as a handsaw and a drill. The tools you can use will always vary.

The materials you will need to build your bug zapper may vary from mine, but I'll tell you what I used:

• the circuitry from an old rechargeable lantern (battery and tube useless)
• a new 6V rechargeable sealed lead acid battery
• two garden plant vase dish
• 6 long wooden dowels
• a 1 yard squared 1/4" mesh wire
• plywood
• my design uses a blacklight

In my design, I decided to build a portable bug zapper because I already had most of the parts from a useless rechargeable lantern. Another possibility was to use a small step down transformer as a step up transformer and rectify the voltage to dc using general purpose diodes to apply to the mesh.

I also chose to use a circular design because that mean I could use one less mesh that was necessary in a flat design for safety purposes.

To make the base plates as I call it, I decided to use wood to mount the mesh and accessories onto. The diameter of the baseplate is measured and cut to fit snugly in the endcaps.

The dowels will act as insulators in between the two mesh and also as supporting columns for the structure so it really serves those two purposes.

The 6 holes for the wooded dowel supports were drilled equally spaced around the circumference of the baseplate with the groove for the inner mesh intersecting them. The hole for the light fitting was made by a spade bit. For more info see here.

After the alignment of the mesh, columns and baseplates are with tolerance, the electrical fittings for the light are hot glued in place.

Blacklight was suitable for my zapper because it attracted most of the insects i wanted to get rid of.

The two leads for the mesh are wired near the top of the mesh and the overlapping mesh is joined by solder.

If you haven't already visited my website, click here for more info.

The carrying handle from the lantern was reused for my bug zapper.

Slots were cutout on the top of the endcap to mount the handle, switch, leds and power cord.

The components from the rechargeable lantern are wired into the bug zapper mush the same way with the addition of the voltage multiplier.  You can find more details here.

The components are wired together and hot glued in place.

This is the final product of my portable bug zapper.

I hope you found this instructable useful in designing and building your own bug zapper.

If you have any questions and I know you do, please leave them below.

You can also take a look at my other projects below:

How to dismantle a CRT monitor

Case Safe

Perfume vase

EFPU

Bill Organizer