Abstract: A hand held fly swatter apparatus is provided which is capable of being configured to capture insects alive from given surfaces to allow their subsequent disposal. The apparatus includes a flexible handle having a transparent rigid housing attached to a front end thereof. The housing defines an insect trap compartment having a large aperture through which an insect is placed within the insect trap compartment. The housing provides a pair of parallel channels which extend along opposite sides of the compartment aperture and are arranged to support a front end portion of a mesh closure member. The mesh closure member is slidable between a retracted position to permit access to the insect trap compartment, and an extended position wherein the mesh closure member covers the compartment aperture. A rear slide clamp attached to a rear end portion of the mesh closure member supports the closure member relative to the handle.