Enhance your backyard ambience and enjoy outdoor activities without being bugged (literally), thanks to the PIC insect killer torch.
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PIC Insect Killer Torch Review: Is It the Best Bug Zapper? (We Tried It!)
Updated on Dec. 01, 2023
No one, and I mean no one likes bug bites. If mosquitoes are bugging your family’s outdoor evenings, deter them with this solar-powered bug zapper and beautiful flameless torch. The PIC insect killer torch zaps bugs while adding a touch of class to your backyard festivities.
If you hate bugs like I do, you’ve probably tried a variety of bug repellents or sprays to eliminate them. Mosquitos aren’t just a painful annoyance—they can also carry diseases. A bug zapper helps rid your yard of these beasts, and this torch is the most stylish way to keep them at bay without resorting to harmful chemicals and sprays.
On This Page
What is the PIC insect killer torch?
The PIC insect killer torch is a solar-powered bug zapper and patio light in one attractive product. It doesn’t need electricity to operate, so you can place it nearly anywhere. The flickering LED flame effect lasts six hours or more with a full charge in direct sunlight. It automatically comes on at dusk and zaps the life out of flying insects with 600 volts of power.
The unit comes with three plastic extension poles, connectors, a ground stake and a tabletop base for various heights and uses. The lamp itself is 8 inches tall—ideal for tabletops—but when you adjust it to full height, which is 4 feet tall, you can use it to light your pathway.
PIC Insect Killer Torch Features
If you like the look of a tiki torch without the danger of an open flame, you’ll appreciate the aesthetics of this insect killer torch. The unit provides a life-like flickering flame effect without requiring oil. As a result, it’s safe and maintenance-free. Plus, it automatically comes on at dusk, just when the mosquitoes are ravenous. The PIC torch covers an area of 0.5 acres, is weatherproof and rain won’t accumulate with its open-grid design. To finish off the convenience, the slide-out tray catches debris.
This solar-powered torch isn’t tethered to an electric source, so you can place it anywhere. The manufacturer claims six hours of burn time—and that’s true. I keep one on my covered front porch, which loses sunlight midday, and it still works with the solar-powered charge. In full sun, the torches work into the wee hours of the morning.
How We Tested It
I have zero tolerance for bugs. When I moved from a dry climate to the Midwest, I was on a mission to find natural ways to eradicate pests. Three years ago, I found the PIC torch at a local hardware store. This handsome solar-powered torch light was an insect killer, too, so how could I resist? I was sold. I loved the look of it and bought three.
I didn’t have a huge mosquito problem (at the time), because I found an eco-friendly yard spray to protect me and my pets from no-see-ums, fleas and ticks. So I was shocked to discover insects in the clutches of the torches a few days after setting them up.
Like some outdoor solar lights I’ve owned, I expected to get a year or two out of the PIC torch. I kept the boxes to store them for the winter, but they looked so pretty in the yard that I kept them out all winter. Surprisingly, they have been going strong for over three years. They light the way through sleet and snow, and add a cozy ambiance to my patio and front porch.
When I received the new PIC insect killer torch to test, we were in a drought, and bugs were scarce. The PIC did its job on the first night, killing several insects. I haven’t been bitten by a mosquito in the three years that I’ve owned the torches.
Pros
- Kills flying insects on contact
- Doubles as a patio light
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Solar-powered
- Environmentally friendly
- Chemical-free
- No open flame
- Adjustable height
- Weatherproof
- 0.5-acre coverage
- Easy to use
- Maintenance-free
Cons
- Torch pole may lean (according to some reviewers)
- Debris tray may be hard to open
FAQ
How do you use the PIC insect killer torch?
Choose a sunny location for the torch for the best performance. Then, choose its height. Assemble the pole with the provided connectors, drive the stake into the ground with a rubber mallet to avoid breakage and put the assembled unit onto the stake. Assembly takes mere minutes. Or, you can forget the stake and pole and use it with the tabletop stand.
The last step is pushing the on button and letting it charge in the sun. That’s it—you never have to worry about it again! It automatically works when the sun goes down.
What Other Reviewers Had to Say
Real-life customers share what they think of their pest control purchase and, spoiler alert, the reviews are really good.
Verified purchaser, Gene Worrell, says, “These are perfect for a tropical poolside ambiance feel. The flames are quite realistic. The bug zapper appears to work pretty well.”
“It works!” exclaims Nick Phoenix, a five-star reviewer. “After only one night I checked it the next day and there were bugs in the tray! It works! There was a mix of moths and mosquitoes and other bugs. I was hesitant on buying it, due to some reviews said it didn’t do anything, but mine did. And I must admit it looks pretty cool at night.”
“I bought this back in April of 2020. Up until last July of 2022, it was subjected to Arizona sun. In July of 2022, I moved to Michigan, and for the past two months it has been only getting the dreary Michigan, indirect light coming from a patio door and it is still working! I will be ordering several more to deal with the insects of Michigan,” shares another five-star reviewer, Sue Ellen Bowers.
Product Comparison
Compared to the bright, ugly and noisy high-powered electric bug zapper I bought for my mom years ago, I am amazed that the PIC insect killer captures moths and mosquitoes using only 600 watts of solar-powered energy without bait. In my mom’s case, we had to run electric cords across the lawn to place her electric bug zapper far enough away from her seating area. Not only was it problematic for mowing the lawn, but it was also a trip hazard. The solar-powered PIC torch, however, can be placed anywhere that it will receive sunlight. Plus, the brand offers a portable version with a convenient handle.
Final Verdict
This silent killer is beautifully disguised—no noisy, clunky, ugly machine doing my dirty work. It’s eco-friendly and chemical-free, using the sun as its superpower. With three years of experience using the PIC insect killer torch, I’m impressed with its performance and longevity.
I’ve always loved the look of tiki torches, but don’t enjoy dealing with the messy oil or smelly open flame. The PIC torch gives a realistic flickering fire effect without the hassle of a real torch. The light output is warm and lights up the area with a lovely ambiance.
Where to Buy the PIC Insect Killer Torch
Don’t let bugs ruin your outdoor parties! Enhance the mood instead. The PIC insect killer torch is available at Walmart, Amazon, Lowe’s and The Home Depot. Goodbye, annoying flying bugs.
