Black Flag insect traps, powered

The reports, as CPSC published them

1. Hurt, no treatment

   Made Oct 7, 2026 · , sent to the company Oct 13, 2026 · , published by CPSC Oct 27, 2026

   The product, in the report: Brand: Black Flag Product: Bug Zapper Racket Model Number: 75027 UPC: 085972007936 Advertised Voltage: 1,500 volts Power Source: Two AA alkaline batteries Distributor: Greenscapes Home & Garden Products, Buford, Georgia Country of Manufacture: Thailand

   ## Consumer Product Safety Incident Report

   **Product Information** - **Brand:** Black Flag - **Product:** Bug Zapper Racket - **Model Number:** 75027 - **UPC:** 085972007936 - **Advertised Voltage:** 1,500 volts - **Power Source:** Two AA alkaline batteries - **Distributor:** Greenscapes Home & Garden Products, Buford, Georgia - **Country of Manufacture:** Thailand

   ### Incident Description

   I am reporting a safety concern involving a Black Flag electric bug zapper racket that caused an electrical shock and excessive battery overheating during normal use.

   I was personally operating the racket in my home for the first time after opening the package and reading the instructions. I pressed the activation button twice, believing the electrical grid would only be energized while the button was pressed. Approximately 30 seconds after releasing the button, I was attempting to store the racket when I accidentally touched its metal grid and received an electrical shock.

   I subsequently noticed that the batteries were becoming increasingly hot, even though I was no longer pressing the activation button or using the racket. During the time I was investigating the issue, both batteries continued to increase in temperature rather than cooling down.

   I removed both batteries to prevent further overheating and a potential fire hazard. The batteries had become hot enough to burn my fingers during removal, although I did not sustain any apparent lasting skin damage.

   ### Packaging Instructions and Safety Concerns

   The product packaging identifies the electrical grid as operating at 1,500 volts and includes a general electrical shock warning. The operating instructions direct users to press and hold the charging button to kill insects on contact.

   However, the instructions do not explain that the electrical grid may retain a charge after the button is released, how long that charge may remain, when the grid is safe to touch, or how to safely discharge any residual electricity after use.

   Additionally, the packaging does not provide any warning regarding the possibility of batteries overheating during or after normal operation.

   I am concerned about the risk of electrical shock, thermal burns, and a potential fire resulting from excessive battery overheating. The racket was not subjected to prolonged activation or unusual use. I had pressed the activation button only twice before these incidents occurred.

   ### Request for Investigation

   I believe this product presents a significant safety hazard and warrants investigation, particularly regarding its electrical circuitry, battery overheating, residual electrical charge, and the adequacy of its safety warnings and operating instructions.

   The fact that both batteries continued to increase in temperature after the racket was no longer being operated raises additional concerns about a possible electrical malfunction or excessive current draw.

   I am requesting that the manufacturer and appropriate consumer product safety authorities investigate these hazards to determine whether the product has a design or manufacturing defect and whether additional safety warnings or corrective actions are necessary.

   Model

   75027

   UPC

   085972007936

   Serial number

   not applicable

   Bought from

   LOWES

   Bought

   Oct 1, 2026

   Where

   Mentor, Ohio: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Age 48, Unspecified

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Self

   As this report names them

   Brand Black Flag, made or sold by Greenscapes Home and Garden Products

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received

2. Hurt, care not known

   Made Sep 18, 2026 · , sent to the company Sep 23, 2026 · , published by CPSC Oct 7, 2026

   The product, in the report: Black Flag 2-Pack Electric Bug Zapper Rackets, Mosquito & Fly Swatter, Battery Operated

   I purchased a few of these 1500V handheld bug zappers that are available almost everywhere (Amazon, [REDACTED]). Here is a link to an example from [REDACTED] I used one of these bug zappers to kill a drain fly. Because it wasn’t vaporized, the dead fly was stuck to the metal grid. I was not pressing the on button but used my left hand’s middle finger to tap the grid while positioned over the toilet bowl so the drain fly would fall and I could flush it away.

   I received a substantial shock on the tip of my finger even though I was not pressing the button. The shock was more than the static shock one gets when shuffling on shag carpet and touching an decorative icicle on a Christmas tree and less than getting bit by 110V house current. I wondered how long it takes for the voltage to dissipate from the zapper electrical grid?

   I found out that it can take anywhere from a few seconds to several days for the voltage to dissipate, depending entirely on how the bug zapper’s internal circuitry was manufactured. Here is the breakdown of why that happens and the timeline for dissipation: With a Bleeder Resistor (3 to 10 seconds): Higher-quality units include a component called a “bleeder resistor” wired across the high-voltage capacitor. Once I let go of the power button, this resistor immediately and safely drains the stored voltage down to zero in just a few seconds. Without a Bleeder Resistor (Hours, Days, or Weeks): To save a few cents on manufacturing, many budget zappers completely omit this bleeder resistor. Without it, the capacitor holds onto its 1,500V charge like a battery. Because there is nowhere for the energy to go, it relies on natural internal “leakage” to dissipate, which is incredibly slow. The grid remains fully armed until it finds a conductive pathwhich, in this case, was my finger. The shock I felt perfectly bridged the gap between static electricity and household current. I absorbed the stored energy of the capacitor in one instantaneous burst. It had a higher energy capacity than the friction-based static shock from shuffling on carpet, but unlike a 110V wall outlet, it couldn’t supply a continuous, sustained current to do serious damage. To avoid future surprises when clearing out stuck flies, always assume the grid is “live.” I will need to manually discharge the remaining voltage by tapping the inner and outer metal grids together using an insulated tool, like the metal shaft of a screwdriver with a plastic or rubber handle.

   Model

   75027

   UPC

   085972004454

   Serial number

   NA

   Bought from

   Amazon

   Bought

   Jul 21, 2026

   Where

   Richardson, Texas: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Age 68, Male

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Self

   As this report names them

   Brand Black Flag, made or sold by Greenscapes Home and Garden Products

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Injury, Level of care not known

3. No one hurt

   Made Jul 25, 2025 · , sent to the company Aug 8, 2025 · , published by CPSC Aug 22, 2025

   The product, in the report: Black Flag Bug Zapper, hanging, round (not oval) 15 watt, 4500v, blue box. The link below is it but not where purchased.

   Black Flag Bug Zapper motor caught fire

   Bought from

   Walmart

   Where

   Xenia, Ohio: Home/Apartment/Condominium

   Who was involved

   Age 52, Unspecified

   The reporter’s relation to them

   Self

   As this report names them

   Brand Black Flag, made or sold by Greenscapes Home and Garden Products

   How badly, in CPSC’s words

   Incident, No Injury

CPSC’s disclaimer

Sources