BugZooka Bug Vacuum with Long Nozzle, Humane Bug Catcher for All Ages

My family has had a bugzooka for more than 15 years. I bought this when my kids were little because I don't like killing insects and this tool allows me to capture most tiny critters without causing them harm, showing my kids the insects - spiders, moths, grasshoppers, even scorpions before releasing them into my backyard. My kids have grown up with this device and I have gifted it to other friends. It comes with a spare chamber attachment which is helpful.The design is simple and functional compared to other high tech, electronic bug capturing tools. You push the spring to prime and them push the button to activate the suction pump. Point the tip of the bugzooka as close to the insect as possible, like touching it, if possible, and push the button, and bam! you will find the insect trapped in the translucent chamber.Remember this is not a Dyson vacuum on max power suction. It's a simple mechanical device that works well when used properly.My only complaint with this product is that the front chamber is brittle and prone to breaking. Which is why they include a second one, but they need to include a total of 4 or 5 chambers because the acrylic is easy to break or crack and the "trapdoors" at the mouth of the front chamber often lose the spring which kinda kills its utility immediately.You also can't buy just the chamber for a reasonable price, you have to buy a whole new bugzooka!In spite of this complaint, we love the bugzooka and it is a standard fixture in our home. I'm sure my kids will look for it when they have their own homes too.I found a workaround after struggling to find replacement chambers after the first few years I had it. I would attach a small rubber balloon around the mouth of the chamber and cut an X in it, and pull the ballon back so the rubber flap with the X cut in it would sit squarely over the mouth of the chamber. This worked like a charm for almost 10 years.For a long time the bugzooka was not available on Amazon. When I found it again this year, I quickly bought a replacement and gifted my friend a set. They love it as well.If you are looking for a simple functional tool to catch and release bugs and insects in your house, instead of killing them, this tool is for you. It will last a long time and will serve you well.

I bought this unit as an alternative to a handheld battery powered device. I steer clear of anything rechargeable; because it runs out of juice, slowly holds less of a charge over time, costly replacement batteries, and with how technology changes the batteries are usually not available forever. This leaves you with a worthless unit.Primarily purchased this for stink bug "collection" at my house. Anything that "sucks", pushes air through the unit and blows out the backside. This of course fills your house with that terrible stink bug scent, which is what you are trying to avoid in the first place. Unit arrived, and assembled in seconds. I have vaulted ceilings in some areas, and others up to 9' high. Which, with a stool, were reached relatively painlessly. I paid for next day shipping upgrade due to the fact that my house had around 100 VISIBLE stink bugs at this point.This unit is amazing. One handed operation. Push bellows into your thigh and its locked and loaded. Aim. Push Button. Repeat. At one point, when close together, I could get one stink bug every 3-4 seconds (while talking on the phone!) These aren't the craftiest or quickest bugs, I imagine hunting something more aggressive that flies would be far less successful. I loaded about 6-10 into the canister before needing to empty it to regain suction strength. I simply had a small bucket, filled with water and some dial soap. Took trap door cap off (that keeps them in the canister while allowing more to be sucked in) and you simply press on the bellows and it launches them out with air. I shot them outside into the bucket and the dial soap causes them to sink, where i will leave them overnight to drown and then dispose of water.I used to take a Solo cup and walk around and knock them into the cup with my hand. This is of course gross, and you miss, and they climb out and fly away. Plus you don't kill them and just let them outside only to fly back in again. I haven't read other reviews, and i have never written a review myself; but I find myself just in love with this device. There is no effective way to trap or prevent, the only true solution is removal. This unit does that perfectly.It does require a bit of getting used to as far as the angle at which you pursue your target. How far you need to be from your target based on the angles. Nothing that requires more than a few minutes to master. It surprised me and would pull stink bugs out of crevices in the window, while other times i would miss one flat out on the wall. So yes, a little getting used to and be sure to empty that trap. Comes with a convenient wall mount, to keep in the laundry room or closet and away from a drawer.I safely, effectively, and easily removed 100 bugs in a matter of 10-15 minutes. Now I will simply maintain the population every day for a minute or two! GREAT PRODUCT FOR STINK BUGS!***THIS REVIEW IS FOR STINK BUGS ONLY. NO NEED FOR OTHER BUGS AT MY HOUSE***

I have no idea how this item received so many positive reviews. Dollar for dollar this item costs more and offers less than other options. Please read my whole review if you want to know what your best options are, as I've spent the money trying different products and I will hopefully spare you from having to do so as well. As a preface, you should certainly know that I am your average Amazon customer and I have no conflict of interest whatsoever. I have never actually spent the time to write a review until now because of how outraged I am with the misleading reviews of this product.I bought this item along with a bug wand, an electrifying bug racket, and a flyswatter as it is now spring and the bugs are coming out. Out-of-the-box this item rattled as if there was a screw loose from within the lower chamber that sucks in the air. That may be the reason my unit does not function very well, however if that is not the reason, this item is absolutely worthless. The suction power it generates is not enough to suck up any bug unless you are literally about an inch away or less, and almost no bug will let you get that close without flying away. I would highly recommend the bug racket instead with one caveat:It certainly depends on what type of bug you're trying to kill, if the bug flies the racket is clearly the best option, if the bug does not fly, for example, a spider, an ant, or even a cockaroach the racket will not be your best option. I would recommend a bug wand for small to medium sized spiders (it clearly won't work for anything close to a tarantula-sized spider) and medium to large sized ants. As for cockroaches, the wand most likely will yield a mediocre performance at best. The bugzooka would have been a good option if it actually could generate the suction power it claims to generate. I don't currently know which gadget would be the best for cockroaches as they have never been a concern of mine.The bug racket was $11.50 and I personally believe it is the best money that I've spent in a while. One thing I love about the racket is that there is absolutely no cleanup involved, the bug literally sticks to the racket, I think due to the remnant static electricity, and then you just put it over the garbage, tap a couple times, and it falls dead into the garbage can, whereas with this unit, you have the mess of trying to dispose of a living bug which the bugzooka traps and does not make very easy to dispose of without potentially coming into contact with the living bug. The only way you can avoid coming into contact with the living bug is by waiting for the bug to die (which takes several days for most bugs and in the meantime they defecate all over the device), and even then it's not easy to dispose of the bug without getting very close or touching it.For the cost of this device it is disgracefully awful; in contrast, the bug racket is a complete steal for $12, God only knows how they were able to assemble the electrifying racket for less than $12 and make a profit. Obviously it was made in China, even so, the electrical components, the metal wiring, the parts seem like they would cost more than $12 in and of themselves.The bug wand which costs around $11 is certainly not an amazing device but it works well, not perfectly, but gets the job done (provided the bug is not huge) and is cheaper than this piece of junk. Disposal of the bug with the Bug wand is not ideal either but certainly better than this device.By the way, you do need two AA batteries for the bug racket and one 9 V battery for the bug wand. Also, if I am able to resolve my problems with this device, I promise to post an update. Geez, I can't believe I spent so much time on one review, I hope this time was worth it for one of you out there.

If you expect this thing will be able to suck insects from a distance, you would have the wrong expectations. The major downside of this wonderful tool is its range. In my experience, it works best when the end of the tool (with the silicone flaps) is as close as 1in from the target. With that disclaimer out of the way, this is one tool that I feel most home owners should own. Why? First off, it's an awesome feature that you may choose to release the insect unharmed. Some insects are more valuable than others depending on the Region, so having that option is great. Second, it is self-contained and always ready to go. Bug "vacuums" are probably more powerful than this but are useless if the Batteries are depleted, which is an annoyance and can be a real issue while camping. Third, this allows for observation of the captured bugs, which is really fun. Fourth, no mess (unless you accidentally ram the bug with the end of the BugZooka) and no chemicals. No more bug splatter on your walls.So if you decide to give this a go, here's how I managed to capture Grasshoppers, Flies, Spiders and more. Don't use the telescoping arm unless you need to. I'm fairly sure it reduces the power, which isn't great to begin with. Slowly approach your target with the end of the Bugzooka in a slow and steady motion similar to a Spearing motion. Now here's the tricky part: figuring out when to press the release button. Do it too early/too far, and there might not be enough suction (especially for heavier/grippier insects). Do it too late/too close, and the Bug will probably already have escaped. Hold the barrel with both hands if possible.PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT IDEAS: I love, love, love this product. My guess is that with better Marketing, they would sell millions of these. But the product could use a few tweaks to be better (in my opinion):1-Changeable Nose shape --> Would be awesome to have different diameters. e.g. smaller opening for slow-moving targets and larger opening for fast moving targets.2-Non-marking soft bumper around the lip --> Since you need to get relatively close in a spearing motion and could potentially hit stuff/people.3-More suction --> The obvious one. Would make the product so much easier to use. Maybe have a "Pro" version that has a stronger spring or requires multiple pumps.

I love this thing! It truly is the easiest solution for getting rid of bugs. It uses simple mechanics of suction to pull the bug into a tube, which you can then empty in a more appropriate place. No electricity or batteries needed! The suction makes it easier to catch the bug too. It works especially well on stinkbugs and spiders, and pretty well on flying insects, as long as they don’t fly off. I don’t know how it would do on cockroaches; I assume as long as it’s not larger than the opening on the tube, it should work fine. The only weak point (literally) is that you have to be careful not to press too hard when you’re attaching the plastic tube to the “gun” because it can crack easily. Found that out the hard way. Now I know to be more careful. It is expensive for what it is, but just buy it. You’ll love it.

This is a game changer for me. Around here we have stink bugs. We used to squash them and, naturally, that caused mess and "stink." Or, you gently grabbed it with a tissue (and you could feel it through the tissue - gross), took it outside to let it loose or squash it. Letting it loose was really not an option as, at some point, back inside it would come. Then I bought this. Those nasty looking, smelly things now can be reached with a nice, long pole so I can stay far away from it. No smell. No mess. They simply stay contained in there until they are no longer moving. Or I can dump them into a jar of detergent water to get rid of them quicker. Of course, it works for other bugs too. Houseflies are a challenge, but your skill level improves with each catch and this becomes more of a game and less of a chore. Not sure if I would try it on a massive stinging insect, that would most likely be a job for a more serious weapon like a vacuum. But this is a great addition to any home.

OMG! I love this thing! Western Oregon has been invaded by stink bugs and this last summer was the worst! I considered traps and may well use them later, but right now I wanted a fast, clean and "stink free" way to capture these little varmints. I spent a great deal of time looking at all the electric or battery powered vacuum type bug catchers, but I just wasn't impressed. None of the reviews really provided what I was looking for. Until, the BUGZOOKA WB 100! It operates with a spring bellows action that requires no batteries or plug-in. All you do is compress the bellows to set the trigger then go hunting!! The unit is actually well built and certainly well designed and functions exactly as advertised. Thankfully, stink bugs are pretty stupid and not all that fast when not flying, so they are super easy to catch. The BugZooka does have to be very close to the critter for effective trapping, but I have yet to miss a single one! The manufacturer claims this works with all types of flying insects, but I doubt you will ever catch one in the air. The tip of the unit must be within 1/2 to one inch from the bug. The best part is no smell!! If you dare to squish a stink bug you will regret it, and although the literature suggests that foul smell doesn't attract more of them, I have noticed a distinct decrease in bug activity now that I use the BugZooka. I simply suck them up and dispose of them outside (They are an invasive insect, so I don't set them free--they die in a sealed container used specifically for the purpose). Some people may balk at the price as I initially did, but no more! I intend to purchase a couple more to keep in other parts of the house including our screen porch. It is money well spent!Pros: Well built (it is plastic, but very good material)EffectiveClean (it does not crush or injure the insect so there is no smell)Easy to useExcellent designReplacement parts availableBeen on the market for a long timeIts FUN to use!!Cons: Must be close to the insect for effective captureThe silicone "wings" in the tip of the unit don't tolerate abuse. One of the two sets I receivedrequired careful trimming with a razor blade to free up it's movement and function.

I got this primarily to handle the dreaded stink bugs that have been invading our area lately. They freak me out, they seem to love to hover on the ceiling right above me (looking like they're about to pounce, for real!), and the only methods I have found so far to be usually successful are:1) A spray that is just as pungent as the stink bug odor (plus, it's oily and messy)-OR-2) A fly swatter IF I hit them JUST RIGHT, and hard enough to kill in one whack... unfortunately, it's not always easy in my space to get that perfect angle, and once I've hit it with all my might, where it lands is anyone's guess. Too many times, I've been sitting on my bed, and an hour or two after whacking a stink bug across the room, there he is just walking across my bed! I assume it's the same one I hit, because this has only ever happened the times I hit one and didn't see where it landed.I thought a good bug vacuum would be the best solution, but I heard they (if they were even decent to begin with) set off the stink bugs' defensive odor, which I did not want happening! (I made the mistake of putting an outdoor bug zapper in the hallway outside my bedroom, hoping it would ward off the problem. That lasted exactly ONE night because the smell of zapped stink bug is SO MUCH WORSE than you can imagine! And it LASTED. That was NOT a good night's sleep!)So, out of desperation, I went looking for a solution. I chose the Bugzooka for the following reasons:1) The length. I needed something I could easily reach my ceiling with. (A+ for length! It's long enough that I can reach the bugs on my ceiling, but it's not so long that it's unmanageable.)2) The good reviews.3) The fact that either the product page or a review mentioned that yes, it works for stink bugs, and no, it does not make them release their defensive odor, due to the lack of a fan inside it.It arrived, and I was fascinated and skeptical.It is air-activated. You kind of "pump" it by pressing this air chamber, and then it locks into that position with the chamber compressed. When you wish to suck something up, you press the release button. This makes the chamber pop out, sucking the air back in with it. I tried it against my hand, and also, like, a piece of paper. I was not convinced this would work for stink bugs, because the suction really didn't feel very powerful. I also feared that you would pretty much have to position the nozzle end directly onto whatever bug you were trying to remove before sucking it in, and that just isn't ideal! In many cases, like for bugs in a flying frenzy, it would be impossible!The most concerning part to me, though, was the trap door. It's french door style, so two little shutters that part in the middle. They open both inward and outward, and with the same ease! Now I do realize that the doors open inward from the force of the air suction, but it really doesn't take much pressure to push outward. Stink bugs can be rather huge, and I couldn't see any reason why they would be unable to get back out.My first attempt at capturing a stink bug proved my first concern true: You really have to have the nozzle, like, RIGHT ON the bug! Luckily, he didn't really move after my failed first attempt, so I pumped the air chamber again, repositioned, pushed the nozzle end against the stink bug, pretty much into the ceiling, pressed the button to suck the air in, and VOILÀ! It was inside the holding cell!I set it aside, but couldn't stop worrying that the damn thing would just press through the doors and get back out! I couldn't concentrate, and I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep with that anxiety, so I did something unconventional.I had a bag of diatomaceous earth handy. So I pumped the Bugzooka, stuck the nozzle into the bag, but just barely against the surface of the DE. I pressed the button, and it sucked some DE into the holding cell with the stink bug. I felt MUCH better after that.Since then, I have sucked maybe 5-6 stink bugs into the chamber (and one winged ant). I haven't taken them out. I have added more DE a few times, both because it sucks up moisture, so it reduces after time, and also because the very nature of the Bugzooka design means that every time I press the button to suck a bug into it, it sucks some of my diatomaceous earth out of the holding cell and into the pump chamber. It's getting harder to use (it takes several attempts, now, to get the catch to hold when I compress the air pump), but that is probably my own fault for not cleaning it out sooner. I expect once I clean it, it will work better again.That said, even at its best, it's not super easy to use. For one thing, not that you have to be super strong to use it, or anything, but compressing the air pump is not effortless. I pretty much have to stand with the Bugzooka in both hands, nozzle facing outward, and pull the pump into my gut until it finally locks into place!It includes a warning on it not to store it in the "ready" position, but I need it to be ready to go when I need it! So I keep it ready. I assume their warning is for safety reasons? But considering it won't even suck in a bug unless you've positioned the coin-sized opening so directly on top of the bug that it's practically inside the holding cell even before you activate the suction, because the suction alone isn't powerful enough to pull it in, I am not sure what exactly the danger is to leaving it ready. It's not going to suck up your family pet by accident, or anything!I will say that, though I love the length (most bug vacuums look like - probably are, actually - a kid's toy. Laughably tiny and chintzy.), and it really feels hardily constructed, and not cheaply made... it IS cumbersome! It's not something I can just casually walk around with. And it's never going to be nearby, ready to use, without also being very noticeable and awkward wherever it is in your house.Oh, one really nice thing about it is that it is 100% activated by air, and your own pumping of the air. There are no batteries, and nothing to charge. While this is one part of what makes it less powerful than actual vacuum options, it makes it a great backup option for when you're out of batteries, or the power is out and you can't charge anything! So it might be worth it for that?All in all, I'm not sorry I bought it, but I won't be stocking up on one for every room, or anything. It's a really unique idea, and I could see it being a great option, but for all the down sides, I may suggest continuing your search.

I already own one that i purchased well over 15 years ago and bought a second one for my parents. I love mine, use it often, all of us really love it because it is very easy to use and i think it's fun. Very durable and have had no issues with it, i recommend this product 100%!

Very effective and GENTLE on bumble bees .Also fine for butterflies too.Also long reach.But it does need to be within about an inch away from the trapdoors.

So easy to use and works perfectly

Fonctionne três bien

This item does not work! Needs negative stars! Pathetic suction does not capture an insect unless the "muzzle" is practically touching it. Managed to catch a spider but the poor thing's legs got damaged as it was sucked into the tube. I managed to pick up a few dead flies on the windowsill. Otherwise, nothing lets you come up close enough for the tiny suction to work. Don't waste your money. I am going to recycle it into the plastics curbside blue bin. Back to a flyswatter (fliers) and an empty yoghurt container (crawlers) for me. At least with the yoghurt container, you can catch and release successfully and without harming the insect.