Don’t chase every bug. Sweep the screen in a pattern so your finger doesn’t zigzag and panic. Whack A Bug is a reaction game where bugs pop up in lanes and you tap them before time runs out. It sounds simple… until the waves speed up and friendly insects start tricking your hands. The good news: the game is fair. If you miss, it’s usually because you rushed—not because the game cheated. What you do in the game Your goal is to score as many points as possible before the timer ends (or survive as long as you can in Survival). The core loop: Watch for the shadow cue that shows where something will pop up. Tap the bug once when it appears. Avoid friendly insects marked with a bright ring. Keep tapping cleanly to build a combo. A combo is the “glow bar” that stays alive when you hit bugs quickly and accurately. Misses (and messy taps) break the rhythm. Controls Desktop Click on bugs to whack them Avoid clicking friendlies (bright ring) Click power-up buttons when ready Mobile Tap bugs to whack them Don’t tap friendlies (bright ring) Tap power-up buttons (cooldowns apply) How scoring works (and how you “win”) Most modes reward: Accurate taps (more points) Fast chains (combo points) Staying calm under pressure Classic mode usually ends on a countdown timer. Survival mode often uses hearts—mistakes cost a heart, not the whole run. Some challenges add rules like: “Tap only odd-numbered bugs” These turn reflex practice into a light brain puzzle. Bugs, special targets, and power-ups Not every bug is equal: Winged diagonal bugs: Dangerous to ignore. They cut across lanes and can steal your attention. Slow crawlers: Safer to leave for one beat if a faster threat is incoming. Bonus firefly: Pauses the timer briefly (a tiny “breath” moment). Ink-splatter beetle: If missed, it can obscure part of the screen for a short time. Power-ups are helpful but not “free wins”: Magnifier window: Helps precision in dense waves. Highlight pulse: Marks tap-safe enemies (great for color-blind clarity). Broom sweep: Clears a small cluster without counting as multiple taps. Because power-ups have cooldowns, using them at the wrong time can feel wasted. Tips to play better (specific to Whack A Bug) Tap once, then move on. Double-tapping wastes time and breaks your flow. Use the shadow cue, not the bug. The shadow tells you what’s next before it appears. Divide the screen into four zones. Top-left, top-right, bottom-left, bottom-right. Sweep in a loop. Example: left to right, then top to bottom. Repeat. Prioritize winged diagonal bugs. They disrupt your rhythm if you ignore them. Let slow crawlers wait one beat. Clear the fast threats first. Save broom sweep for dense waves. It shines when the screen is crowded. Use magnifier when your finger starts missing. It’s best right after speed ramps up. Firefly rule: when you see the bonus firefly, grab it fast—it buys time and keeps combos alive. Ink beetle rule: don’t tunnel-vision; if it appears, hit it so your view stays clear. Tip: Relax your hand. Fast taps come from calm muscles. If you keep hitting friendlies by mistake, try aiming slightly beside the ring and then tapping the bug body—not the edge. Real moment: the game suddenly feels “too fast” around mid-run. That’s usually when your finger starts hovering in the middle. Go back to your zone sweep. Modes, goals, and replay value Classic countdown: chase a high score and longer combos. Survival: protect hearts by playing safer. Challenge cards: special rules that change what “good” means. Daily goals keep it fresh with tasks like saving power-ups or holding a combo for a set time. Common problems & quick fixes Accidental double taps: Lower touch sensitivity a notch (if your device allows) and tap with a lighter touch. Laggy tapping: Close other apps/tabs and turn off battery saver. Hard to see targets: Enable high-contrast theme. No sound: Check in-game mute and device volume. Full screen issues: Exit and re-enter full screen; rotate mobile to landscape. Parent tip Whack A Bug builds hand-eye coordination, focus, and self-control under pressure. Runs are short, so it’s easy to set breaks: “Two rounds, then rest your hands.” Quick info Platform: Browser (HTML5) Genre: Reflex / tap action Age fit: 6–13 Session length: 2–8 minutes per run Controls: Click/tap to whack, power-up buttons FAQ Q1: How do I keep my combo longer? A: Tap once per bug, use shadows to predict spawns, and don’t chase across the whole screen. Q2: Why do I keep hitting friendly insects? A: Watch for the bright ring and slow down your tap for one beat when a friendly appears. Q3: What should I do with the bonus firefly? A: Hit it quickly—its timer pause is perfect for saving a run. Q4: When should I use the broom sweep? A: During dense waves, not the moment it becomes available. Q5: What’s the hardest bug type to handle? A: The winged diagonal bugs, because they break your lane rhythm. Q6: Is Survival mode easier? A: It’s calmer at first, but mistakes cost hearts—so accuracy matters more than speed.