Salt Guns

Salt guns knock down flies with a pinch of ordinary table salt, so there is no spray near your food and no swatter stain on the wall. Every Bug-A-Buster is pump-action, runs on kitchen salt and works best from 2 to 3 feet. Pick the 2.0 with a pop-up sight (yellow, blue, white or camouflage), the 2.0 with aiming laser (yellow or blue), or the upgraded 3.0 with aiming laser in four two-tone colours. Not sure which to pick? Read the buying guide below ↓

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Buying guide All our salt guns run on ordinary dry table salt.

Salt gun buying guide: what actually matters

Every salt gun does the same basic job: it throws a pinch of salt hard enough to drop a fly at close range. What separates them is how they are powered, how you aim, what they run on and how easy they are to live with. Check these six things before you buy. Our salt guns are hand-powered, so the firing mechanism needs no batteries.

  1. Power source. Pump-action spring or CO2. A pump gun needs nothing but salt. A CO2 gun hits harder but uses gas cylinders and, on some models, pre-filled salt cartridges.
  2. Aiming. A front sight is enough for landed house flies. A laser dot helps with small targets and in low light.
  3. Realistic range. Pump-action salt guns work best at about 2 to 3 feet. Be wary of any listing that promises 20 or 30 feet.
  4. What it runs on. A top hopper that takes ordinary table salt means you never have to buy special refills.
  5. Safety features. A manual safety and clear warnings matter, especially in a home with children.
  6. Upkeep and support. Any salt gun can clog if the salt gets damp. Buy from a seller who answers questions and explains the fix.

2.0, 2.0 Laser or 3.0: which Bug-A-Buster should you buy?

Every Bug-A-Buster is pump-action, runs on table salt and has a pop-up sight. The 2.0 Laser adds an under-barrel aiming dot, and the 3.0 is the upgraded design (rated by our supplier as stronger) with the laser included. Pick by the job you need it for. Salt guns work best on flies that have landed, not on flies in the air.

Your main jobBest pickWhy
Flies around the grill or patio table2.0Landed flies at short range; the front sight is all you need
Flies on porch rails, deck and garage walls2.0Big, still targets on flat surfaces
Mosquitoes2.0 Laser or 3.0Small and hard to see; the dot shows where the shot will land
Dusk, dim garages and barns2.0 Laser or 3.0A dot is easier to see than a sight in low light
A giftEitherAll run on table salt; pick by colour, then add the laser if they shoot at dusk
Wasps and hornetsNeitherA pump-action salt gun often only angers stinging insects
  • 2.0: pump-action spring, pop-up sight, top salt hopper, no batteries. Yellow, blue, white or camouflage.
  • 2.0 Laser: the same salt gun plus an under-barrel aiming laser (3 AAA batteries, not included). Yellow or blue.
  • 3.0: the upgraded design with the aiming laser included. Yellow & green, yellow & blue, white & blue or white & green.

Pump-action vs CO2 salt guns

For house flies and mosquitoes, a pump-action salt gun has all the power you need, and it never runs out of anything but salt. CO2 salt guns hit harder, which helps on bigger and tougher bugs, but every shot uses gas and, on some models, a pre-filled salt cartridge. Laser models make salt guns easier to aim in low light.

Pump-action (every Bug-A-Buster)CO2-powered
PowerEnough for flies, mosquitoes, moths and small spidersStronger; reaches bigger, tougher bugs
Runs onTable salt onlyCO2 cylinders plus salt or salt cartridges
ShotsAs many as your salt supply allowsLimited by each cylinder (one leading brand quotes about 60 shots per CO2 cartridge)
Running costA few cents of saltOngoing cylinders and cartridges
UpkeepKeep the salt dry; clear clogs with warm waterSwap cylinders; clean salt out of the barrel
Best forEveryday fly control around the house, grill and patioOwners who want to take on wasps and hard-shelled bugs

We sell pump-action salt guns because they suit the job most buyers have: flies. If wasps are your main problem, a pump salt gun is not the right first tool.

Is a salt gun worth it?

It depends on what you expect from it. Here is the honest split, based on what long-time owners say in reviews and forums. Every one of our salt guns costs $47.99.

Worth it if you…

  • Get flies one or two at a time on a patio, deck, grill or garage
  • Don’t want spray near food, kids or pets
  • Enjoy the hunt; owners describe it as addictively fun
  • Need a gift for someone who grills or sits outside a lot

Skip it if you…

  • Have dozens of flies indoors: find the breeding source and set traps first
  • Mainly need to deal with wasps, hornets or beetles
  • Can’t stand a little salt on the floor
  • Want to hit flies from across the room

How to look after your salt gun

Salt guns are simple, but salt and moisture don’t mix. Five habits keep one firing season after season: Keep salt guns dry and stored indoors between fly seasons.

  • Use only dry, fine table salt.
  • Empty the hopper if you won’t use it for a while. Salt left inside soaks up moisture and cakes.
  • Store it indoors, not in a damp shed or garage.
  • Wipe salt dust off the outside after use.
  • Never load sand, sugar or anything except salt.

How to fix a clogged salt gun

  1. Empty all the salt from the hopper and tap out loose grains.
  2. Add a few drops of warm (not boiling) water to dissolve the salt crust, and let it sit for a couple of minutes.
  3. Pump and fire several times with no salt loaded until the action moves freely.
  4. Dry it completely: a hair dryer on low, an afternoon in the sun, or up to 48 hours indoors.
  5. Reload with fresh, dry salt.

Still stuck? Contact us and we will walk you through it. Salt guns are sold for adults 18+.

What can a pump salt gun handle?

  • Works: house flies, horse flies, deer flies, mosquitoes, moths and small spiders.
  • Limited: fruit flies, gnats, spotted lanternflies, stink bugs and roaches. Expect several shots.
  • Not for: wasps, yellow jackets and hornets. Leave honeybees alone.

More detail: Salt gun for flies · Does salt kill flies? Wear eye protection whenever you use salt guns.

Buying from Bug-A-Buster

Salt gun guides

Salt gun buying FAQs

Which salt gun is best for flies?

A pump-action salt gun with a top salt hopper is the simplest and cheapest-to-run choice for house flies. Choose a laser model if you also go after mosquitoes or shoot in low light.

Is a laser sight worth it on a salt gun?

Yes, if you miss small targets or shoot at dusk. Owners like seeing where the shot will land. An under-barrel laser lines up best at one distance, so check the dot against your salt pattern at your usual range.

Should I get a pump-action or a CO2 salt gun?

Pump-action for flies and mosquitoes: no gas, no cartridges, just salt. CO2 only if you specifically want more power for tougher bugs and don’t mind buying cylinders.

Do salt guns need batteries?

The Bug-A-Buster 2.0 without a laser doesn’t. On the 2.0 Laser and the 3.0, only the aiming laser uses batteries (3 AAA, not included); the gun itself is spring-powered.

Do I need to buy special salt?

No. Ordinary dry, fine table salt from your kitchen is what salt guns are designed to use.

Can I use a salt gun in a humid climate?

Yes. Keep your salt sealed, empty the hopper between uses and store the gun indoors. Humidity is the main cause of salt clogs.

Are salt guns safe for kids?

They are made for adults. A close shot stings and salt can hurt eyes, so children should only use one with an adult present, and everyone nearby should wear eye protection.

More answers: Full FAQ · Salt gun safety · Does salt kill flies?