Black & Decker Indoor Sticky Bug Trap

Why I reached for this trap

A fruit fly bloom in my kitchen pushed me to try the Black & Decker bug trap. I wanted something quiet, low-maintenance, and chemical-free that I could tuck near the sink and compost bin without turning the space into a light show. This trap checks those boxes on paper: a UV LED to lure flying insects, replaceable glue paper tubes to capture them, a simple on/off switch, and cordless operation so I’m not tethered to the nearest outlet.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the box, setup is straightforward. The unit includes two glue paper tubes, which slide into place without fuss. There’s no complex assembly, and the control scheme is as basic as it gets: placement plus a single switch.

What surprised me most is the heft. Despite its compact footprint—about 8.8 x 5.4 x 4 inches—it’s listed at 12.1 pounds, and it feels it. The weight gives it great stability on a counter or shelf; it’s not something a cat will easily knock over. On the flip side, it’s not something you’ll want to move repeatedly every night.

The design language is neutral and appliance-like. With the low 4-inch height, I could nestle it against a backsplash or on a bathroom shelf and forget about it until it needed a new tube.

Coverage and real-world performance

The manufacturer rates coverage up to 300 square feet. In practice, UV sticky traps work best within line-of-sight and in darker environments, so placement matters more than raw square footage.

In my testing over two weeks:
- Kitchen: Placed between the sink and compost caddy, the trap reliably snagged fruit flies, houseflies, and a few pantry moths. It did its best work during evenings with the kitchen lights dimmed.
- Bathroom: Near a window and houseplants, it picked up fungus gnats effectively.
- Laundry/mudroom: Close to the door to the garage, it nailed stray flies that wander in.

Mosquitoes are a different story. UV light isn’t their primary attractant, so while a few strays ended up on the glue, I wouldn’t choose this as a primary mosquito solution. If that’s your main pest, you’ll want a CO2 or heat-based trap instead.

Overall, capture rates were consistent with UV glue traps I’ve used in the past: great for flies, gnats, and moths; mediocre for mosquitoes.

Power and the realities of cordless use

Cordless operation is a big convenience—I could position the trap exactly where it made sense rather than where an outlet dictated. Note that no battery is included. That’s a small speed bump on day one and an ongoing consideration. Runtime will depend on the battery you use and how long you keep it on each day. In my routine, I used it in the evenings and overnight when the UV LED is most effective and household lights are off.

If your use case is a stationary spot with an outlet nearby, you may miss having an optional plug-in mode. As it stands, this is a battery-only device, so plan accordingly.

Maintenance and cleanup

Maintenance is refreshingly simple:
- Inspect the tube every few days. When the surface starts to fill up with insects, swap it out.
- To replace, power off, slide the used glue paper tube out, and drop in a fresh one.
- Disposal is as easy as capping or bagging the tube and tossing it with household waste, per your local guidelines.

The included pair of tubes is enough to get started. How long a tube lasts depends on your pest pressure; a heavy fruit fly episode will fill one much faster than a normal week. I recommend keeping spare tubes on hand so you’re not stuck waiting mid-infestation. Also, wear disposable gloves when changing tubes—the adhesive is strong, and cleanup is much easier if you avoid direct contact.

Noise, light, and placement tips

There’s no zap, fan, or buzz. The trap is effectively silent, emitting only the faint glow of the UV LED. A few placement practices improved results in my home:
- Keep it in relatively low ambient light so the UV stands out.
- Place it near attractants (compost, houseplants, recycling, pet bowls) or entry points (doors, windows).
- Avoid bright, sunlit countertops during the day—UV is less compelling against bright light.
- For nighttime use in sleeping areas, be aware the glow may be noticeable. I kept it out of bedrooms.

Following these basics, the trap’s performance was predictable and repeatable.

Build quality and size

Build quality feels solid. The heavier-than-expected weight lends confidence; it doesn’t feel flimsy and it stays put. The compact low-rise profile is thoughtful—at just 4 inches tall, it disappears under cabinets and on shallow shelves. There’s only one control and no whirring parts to maintain. I didn’t see any hot spots or overheating around the LED housing during extended use.

I would not call the unit portable in the sense of frequently relocating it throughout the day. It’s more of a “set it and leave it” appliance that you might reposition weekly as needed.

Indoor and protected outdoor use

Indoors is where it shines—kitchens, bathrooms, cafeterias, and break rooms. On a covered porch (protected from rain and direct exposure), I saw decent results with moths and small midges around dusk. I would not leave it where it could get wet; moisture and adhesive are a poor combination, and the electronics aren’t advertised as weatherproof.

What it does better than sprays and fan traps

• Passive and quiet: No fans or zappers, and no odor.
• Kid- and pet-friendlier experience: No airborne pesticides.
• Easy to clean: One component to replace, no grids to scrub.
• Doesn’t aerosolize insects: Bugs are stuck to the adhesive rather than shattered by a grid or pulled through a fan.

On the other hand, consumables are part of life with adhesive traps. You’ll want a small stash of replacement tubes. That long-term cost is the tradeoff for the convenience and quiet operation.

Where it could improve

• Include a battery: Being ready to use out of the box matters, and the current setup isn’t.
• Add a timer or light sensor: Auto-on at dusk and off at dawn would stretch battery life and maximize effectiveness without user intervention.
• Indicator for tube saturation: A simple visual guide or window to judge when to swap would be handy.
• Weight vs. portability: The heft helps stability but limits how casually you move it around. A carry grip would help.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they’re the kinds of refinements that would elevate the experience.

Who it’s for

• Households and small commercial spaces looking for a quiet, chemical-free way to reduce flying insects indoors.
• People who can place the trap strategically and are willing to replace glue tubes as needed.
• Renters who want a non-destructive, outlet-free solution.

Who should look elsewhere:
- Anyone battling mosquitoes as the primary pest.
- Users who want a set-and-forget device with scheduling and no consumables.
- Those unwilling to source a battery separately.

Recommendation

I recommend this trap for everyday indoor control of flies, gnats, and moths in kitchens, bathrooms, and similar spaces. It’s quiet, simple, and effective when placed thoughtfully, and the replaceable glue tubes make cleanup painless. The cordless design is genuinely useful for dialing in placement, though the lack of an included battery and the unit’s surprising weight are notable drawbacks. If your main targets are typical household flying pests and you’re comfortable maintaining adhesive tubes, this is a dependable, low-fuss option. If you’re dealing primarily with mosquitoes or want automation and zero consumables, consider a different style of trap.