An honest review of the new Insect o Cutor Nomad LED Flykiller, designed for outdoor use. I describe how this USB‑rechargeable fly light trap performs in different settings and explain how we used it during our Summer narrowboat holiday.
Gifted Disclaimer: This unit was kindly gifted to us by the manufacturer under coincidental circumstances. While we were on holiday and suffering from insect bites, the company dropped a unit off near their office in Leeds Basin so we could test it in exchange for an honest review.
Insects made life uncomfortable during our narrowboat trip. We initially relied on body sprays and lotions, but the protection they offered was limited. After a couple of days on the canal, flies, mosquitoes and other biting insects were persistent, and even our dog Hans became bothered by them.
When Insect‑O‑Cutor contacted us about reviewing their Nomad UV LED Outdoor Flykiller, we thought it was a good opportunity to try a different approach. The device promised portability and a dual function that seemed suited to life on a boat, so we accepted and tested it in the real conditions that were causing us trouble.
What is the Insect o Cutor Nomad?
The Nomad is a compact, USB‑powered UV LED flykiller and insect light trap. It arrives in a travel‑friendly format with a foldaway handle that doubles as a hook. The unit is designed to be portable and simple to use, with a collapsible base that saves space in a small boat or while camping.
It serves two primary functions:
- An outdoor UV LED flykiller that attracts and traps flying and biting insects.
- A dimmable lamp with three brightness settings housed in a clear rubber casing that can act as a light source when needed.
Both functions can be used independently, but we mainly used the pest‑control setting while onboard.
Nomad Features
Key features of the Nomad include:
- USB charging (cable included).
- Advertised coverage area of 30 m², suitable for small outdoor spaces.
- Splashproof construction for outdoor use.
- Up to 18 hours of runtime on the lowest lamp setting, according to the manufacturer.
- Primarily aimed at flying and biting pests such as mosquitoes and small flies.
Additional Design Details
- A foldaway hook for hanging the unit from railings, curtain rails or tent pegs.
- A collapsible base for compact storage and easy packing.
Its compact design is genuinely convenient for travel and small living spaces.
Where We Tested It
Although marketed for outdoor use, the narrowboat environment provided ideal conditions for testing: proximity to water attracts mosquitoes, nearby hedgerows and plants draw flies, and open windows and doors let insects inside. We also spent a lot of time outdoors on deck, eating, working and relaxing, which is when insects were most noticeable.
For those who camp, sleep in a tent or travel in a campervan, the Nomad’s portability and USB charge make it worth considering as a compact insect control solution.
How We Used It
Before trying the Nomad, we attempted a DIY bait trap using recycled plastic bottles with vinegar, sugar and detergent, but it caught nothing. In contrast, placing the Nomad in sleeping and living areas on the boat noticeably reduced the number of biting insects we encountered.
We moved the device around depending on where insects were most active, hanging it from curtain rails or light fittings so the UV attraction could do its work while we slept or relaxed nearby.
Best Placement for the Nomad
In our experience, the most effective spot was the bedroom area. The device helped reduce the number of insects that landed on bedding and bodies overnight. On a narrowboat, keeping portholes slightly open for ventilation can invite insects in, so hanging the Nomad nearby offered continuous protection without relying solely on repellents that wear off.
What We Caught
Over several nights we found the Nomad captured a noticeable number of mosquitoes and small flies. We often woke to tens of trapped insects and did not see new bite marks, which suggested the device was helping reduce biting activity inside the boat.
Cleaning is straightforward: the unit includes a small brush for removing trapped insects. The instructions mention a damp cloth for cleaning, but the brush proved most practical in the confined space on board.
Pros
Highlights from our experience:
- It operates while charging, so it can be run continuously if the battery runs out overnight.
- Fast to recharge and convenient for travel when power sources are limited.
- Compact and portable—useful as an alternative when screens or full insect nets aren’t available.
Cons
- It didn’t seem to be as effective on larger flies such as bluebottles; larger, mains‑powered units are available for heavier infestations.
- The green UV light is bright, so light‑sensitive sleepers may prefer to use an eye mask when the unit runs overnight in the bedroom.
- Insects collect in the rubberized lower compartment, which isn’t removable, so cleaning requires shaking or brushing the debris out.
Overall, the Nomad proved useful for our narrowboat holiday. It reduced biting insect activity in sleeping areas and offered a portable alternative to other measures. If you need a compact, USB‑rechargeable insect light trap for travel, camping or small outdoor spaces, the Nomad is worth considering.
More Narrowboat Blog Posts
- Our buying a narrowboat experience
- DIY boat fender hangers
- Replacing a leaking waste basin on a narrowboat
- Installing narrowboat window privacy film
- Changing a narrowboat mixer tap
- How we sold our first house and bought a narrowboat (and another house)
- Narrowboat hire for our honeymoon
- Insect O Cutor Nomad Fly Killer Review – tested on our Summer narrowboat holiday