diff --git a/controllers/dns_test.go b/controllers/dns_test.go
index a55571f4..245c126a 100644
--- a/controllers/dns_test.go
+++ b/controllers/dns_test.go
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/google/uuid"
-	"github.com/gravitl/netmaker/database"
 	"github.com/gravitl/netmaker/logic"
 	"github.com/gravitl/netmaker/models"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
@@ -16,7 +15,7 @@ import (
 var dnsHost models.Host
 
 func TestGetAllDNS(t *testing.T) {
-	database.InitializeDatabase()
+	initialize()
 	deleteAllDNS(t)
 	deleteAllNetworks()
 	createNet()
@@ -47,7 +46,7 @@ func TestGetAllDNS(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestGetNodeDNS(t *testing.T) {
-	database.InitializeDatabase()
+	initialize()
 	deleteAllDNS(t)
 	deleteAllNetworks()
 	createNet()
@@ -94,7 +93,7 @@ func TestGetNodeDNS(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 }
 func TestGetCustomDNS(t *testing.T) {
-	database.InitializeDatabase()
+	initialize()
 	deleteAllDNS(t)
 	deleteAllNetworks()
 	t.Run("NoNetworks", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -133,7 +132,7 @@ func TestGetCustomDNS(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestGetDNSEntryNum(t *testing.T) {
-	database.InitializeDatabase()
+	initialize()
 	deleteAllDNS(t)
 	deleteAllNetworks()
 	createNet()
@@ -152,7 +151,7 @@ func TestGetDNSEntryNum(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 }
 func TestGetDNS(t *testing.T) {
-	database.InitializeDatabase()
+	initialize()
 	deleteAllDNS(t)
 	deleteAllNetworks()
 	createNet()
@@ -196,7 +195,7 @@ func TestGetDNS(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestCreateDNS(t *testing.T) {
-	database.InitializeDatabase()
+	initialize()
 	deleteAllDNS(t)
 	deleteAllNetworks()
 	createNet()
@@ -207,7 +206,7 @@ func TestCreateDNS(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestSetDNS(t *testing.T) {
-	database.InitializeDatabase()
+	initialize()
 	deleteAllDNS(t)
 	deleteAllNetworks()
 	t.Run("NoNetworks", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -255,7 +254,7 @@ func TestSetDNS(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestGetDNSEntry(t *testing.T) {
-	database.InitializeDatabase()
+	initialize()
 	deleteAllDNS(t)
 	deleteAllNetworks()
 	createNet()
@@ -285,7 +284,7 @@ func TestGetDNSEntry(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestDeleteDNS(t *testing.T) {
-	database.InitializeDatabase()
+	initialize()
 	deleteAllDNS(t)
 	deleteAllNetworks()
 	createNet()
@@ -307,7 +306,7 @@ func TestDeleteDNS(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestValidateDNSUpdate(t *testing.T) {
-	database.InitializeDatabase()
+	initialize()
 	deleteAllDNS(t)
 	deleteAllNetworks()
 	createNet()
@@ -369,7 +368,7 @@ func TestValidateDNSUpdate(t *testing.T) {
 
 }
 func TestValidateDNSCreate(t *testing.T) {
-	database.InitializeDatabase()
+	initialize()
 	_ = logic.DeleteDNS("mynode", "skynet")
 	t.Run("NoNetwork", func(t *testing.T) {
 		entry := models.DNSEntry{"10.0.0.2", "", "myhost", "badnet"}
diff --git a/controllers/network_test.go b/controllers/network_test.go
index 995349be..3a61c631 100644
--- a/controllers/network_test.go
+++ b/controllers/network_test.go
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 package controller
 
 import (
+	"context"
 	"os"
 	"testing"
 
@@ -321,6 +322,7 @@ func deleteAllNetworks() {
 func initialize() {
 	database.InitializeDatabase()
 	createAdminUser()
+	go logic.ManageZombies(context.Background())
 }
 
 func createAdminUser() {
diff --git a/controllers/node_test.go b/controllers/node_test.go
index b16c3c9e..fcaf572e 100644
--- a/controllers/node_test.go
+++ b/controllers/node_test.go
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ func TestCreateEgressGateway(t *testing.T) {
 	var gateway models.EgressGatewayRequest
 	gateway.Ranges = []string{"10.100.100.0/24"}
 	gateway.NetID = "skynet"
-	database.InitializeDatabase()
+	initialize()
 	deleteAllNetworks()
 	createNet()
 	t.Run("NoNodes", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ func TestCreateEgressGateway(t *testing.T) {
 }
 func TestDeleteEgressGateway(t *testing.T) {
 	var gateway models.EgressGatewayRequest
-	database.InitializeDatabase()
+	initialize()
 	deleteAllNetworks()
 	createNet()
 	testnode := createTestNode()
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ func TestDeleteEgressGateway(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestGetNetworkNodes(t *testing.T) {
-	database.InitializeDatabase()
+	initialize()
 	deleteAllNetworks()
 	createNet()
 	t.Run("BadNet", func(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/controllers/user_test.go b/controllers/user_test.go
index 629964e4..642a3b3f 100644
--- a/controllers/user_test.go
+++ b/controllers/user_test.go
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ package controller
 import (
 	"testing"
 
-	"github.com/gravitl/netmaker/database"
 	"github.com/gravitl/netmaker/logic"
 	"github.com/gravitl/netmaker/models"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
@@ -18,7 +17,7 @@ func deleteAllUsers() {
 
 func TestHasAdmin(t *testing.T) {
 	//delete all current users
-	database.InitializeDatabase()
+	initialize()
 	users, _ := logic.GetUsers()
 	for _, user := range users {
 		success, err := logic.DeleteUser(user.UserName)
@@ -48,7 +47,7 @@ func TestHasAdmin(t *testing.T) {
 	})
 	t.Run("multiple admins", func(t *testing.T) {
 		var user = models.User{"admin1", "password", nil, true, nil}
-		 err := logic.CreateUser(&user)
+		err := logic.CreateUser(&user)
 		assert.Nil(t, err)
 		found, err := logic.HasAdmin()
 		assert.Nil(t, err)
@@ -57,7 +56,7 @@ func TestHasAdmin(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestCreateUser(t *testing.T) {
-	database.InitializeDatabase()
+	initialize()
 	deleteAllUsers()
 	user := models.User{"admin", "password", nil, true, nil}
 	t.Run("NoUser", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -72,7 +71,7 @@ func TestCreateUser(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestCreateAdmin(t *testing.T) {
-	database.InitializeDatabase()
+	initialize()
 	deleteAllUsers()
 	var user models.User
 	t.Run("NoAdmin", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -90,7 +89,7 @@ func TestCreateAdmin(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestDeleteUser(t *testing.T) {
-	database.InitializeDatabase()
+	initialize()
 	deleteAllUsers()
 	t.Run("NonExistent User", func(t *testing.T) {
 		deleted, err := logic.DeleteUser("admin")
@@ -107,7 +106,7 @@ func TestDeleteUser(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestValidateUser(t *testing.T) {
-	database.InitializeDatabase()
+	initialize()
 	var user models.User
 	t.Run("Valid Create", func(t *testing.T) {
 		user.UserName = "admin"
@@ -155,7 +154,7 @@ func TestValidateUser(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestGetUser(t *testing.T) {
-	database.InitializeDatabase()
+	initialize()
 	deleteAllUsers()
 	t.Run("NonExistantUser", func(t *testing.T) {
 		admin, err := logic.GetUser("admin")
@@ -172,7 +171,7 @@ func TestGetUser(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestGetUsers(t *testing.T) {
-	database.InitializeDatabase()
+	initialize()
 	deleteAllUsers()
 	t.Run("NonExistantUser", func(t *testing.T) {
 		admin, err := logic.GetUsers()
@@ -203,7 +202,7 @@ func TestGetUsers(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestUpdateUser(t *testing.T) {
-	database.InitializeDatabase()
+	initialize()
 	deleteAllUsers()
 	user := models.User{"admin", "password", nil, true, nil}
 	newuser := models.User{"hello", "world", []string{"wirecat, netmaker"}, true, []string{}}
@@ -246,7 +245,7 @@ func TestUpdateUser(t *testing.T) {
 // }
 
 func TestVerifyAuthRequest(t *testing.T) {
-	database.InitializeDatabase()
+	initialize()
 	deleteAllUsers()
 	var authRequest models.UserAuthParams
 	t.Run("EmptyUserName", func(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/functions/helpers_test.go b/functions/helpers_test.go
index e2737f48..a5afc6c9 100644
--- a/functions/helpers_test.go
+++ b/functions/helpers_test.go
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ var (
 )
 
 func TestNetworkExists(t *testing.T) {
-	err := database.InitializeDatabase()
+	err := initialize()
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("error initilizing database: %s", err)
 	}
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ func TestNetworkExists(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestGetAllExtClients(t *testing.T) {
-	err := database.InitializeDatabase()
+	err := initialize()
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("error initilizing database: %s", err)
 	}
diff --git a/logic/host_test.go b/logic/host_test.go
index 75ff7a16..e142f634 100644
--- a/logic/host_test.go
+++ b/logic/host_test.go
@@ -5,13 +5,12 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/google/uuid"
-	"github.com/gravitl/netmaker/database"
 	"github.com/gravitl/netmaker/models"
 	"github.com/matryer/is"
 )
 
 func TestCheckPorts(t *testing.T) {
-	database.InitializeDatabase()
+	initialize()
 	h := models.Host{
 		ID:              uuid.New(),
 		EndpointIP:      net.ParseIP("192.168.1.1"),
diff --git a/logic/nodes.go b/logic/nodes.go
index db9f1e8f..1ef27229 100644
--- a/logic/nodes.go
+++ b/logic/nodes.go
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ func DeleteNode(node *models.Node, purge bool) error {
 		if err := UpdateNode(node, &newnode); err != nil {
 			return err
 		}
-		zombies = append(zombies, node.ID)
+		newZombie <- node.ID
 		return nil
 	}
 	host, err := GetHost(node.HostID.String())
diff --git a/logic/pro/networkuser_test.go b/logic/pro/networkuser_test.go
index ac9994dd..ff34c107 100644
--- a/logic/pro/networkuser_test.go
+++ b/logic/pro/networkuser_test.go
@@ -4,14 +4,13 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/google/uuid"
-	"github.com/gravitl/netmaker/database"
 	"github.com/gravitl/netmaker/models"
 	"github.com/gravitl/netmaker/models/promodels"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 )
 
 func TestNetworkUserLogic(t *testing.T) {
-	database.InitializeDatabase()
+	initialize()
 	networkUser := promodels.NetworkUser{
 		ID: "helloworld",
 	}
diff --git a/logic/pro/usergroups_test.go b/logic/pro/usergroups_test.go
index cd472e25..c7094964 100644
--- a/logic/pro/usergroups_test.go
+++ b/logic/pro/usergroups_test.go
@@ -3,13 +3,12 @@ package pro
 import (
 	"testing"
 
-	"github.com/gravitl/netmaker/database"
 	"github.com/gravitl/netmaker/models/promodels"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
 )
 
 func TestUserGroupLogic(t *testing.T) {
-	database.InitializeDatabase()
+	initialize()
 
 	t.Run("User Groups initialized successfully", func(t *testing.T) {
 		err := InitializeGroups()
diff --git a/logic/zombie.go b/logic/zombie.go
index cd1dd307..4b147776 100644
--- a/logic/zombie.go
+++ b/logic/zombie.go
@@ -17,8 +17,10 @@ const (
 )
 
 var (
-	zombies     []uuid.UUID
-	hostZombies []uuid.UUID
+	zombies       []uuid.UUID
+	hostZombies   []uuid.UUID
+	newZombie     chan uuid.UUID = make(chan (uuid.UUID), 10)
+	newHostZombie chan uuid.UUID = make(chan (uuid.UUID), 10)
 )
 
 // CheckZombies - checks if new node has same hostid as existing node
@@ -37,7 +39,7 @@ func CheckZombies(newnode *models.Node) {
 		}
 		if node.HostID == newnode.HostID || time.Now().After(node.ExpirationDateTime) {
 			logger.Log(0, "adding ", node.ID.String(), " to zombie list")
-			zombies = append(zombies, node.ID)
+			newZombie <- node.ID
 		}
 	}
 }
@@ -57,7 +59,7 @@ func checkForZombieHosts(h *models.Host) {
 		}
 		if existing.MacAddress.String() == h.MacAddress.String() {
 			//add to hostZombies
-			hostZombies = append(hostZombies, existing.ID)
+			newHostZombie <- existing.ID
 			//add all nodes belonging to host to zombile list
 			for _, node := range existing.Nodes {
 				id, err := uuid.Parse(node)
@@ -65,7 +67,7 @@ func checkForZombieHosts(h *models.Host) {
 					logger.Log(3, "error parsing uuid from host.Nodes", err.Error())
 					continue
 				}
-				zombies = append(zombies, id)
+				newHostZombie <- id
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -79,6 +81,10 @@ func ManageZombies(ctx context.Context, peerUpdate chan *models.Node) {
 		select {
 		case <-ctx.Done():
 			return
+		case id := <-newZombie:
+			zombies = append(zombies, id)
+		case id := <-newHostZombie:
+			hostZombies = append(hostZombies, id)
 		case <-time.After(time.Second * ZOMBIE_TIMEOUT):
 			logger.Log(3, "checking for zombie nodes")
 			if len(zombies) > 0 {
@@ -142,10 +148,10 @@ func InitializeZombies() {
 			}
 			if node.HostID == othernode.HostID {
 				if node.LastCheckIn.After(othernode.LastCheckIn) {
-					zombies = append(zombies, othernode.ID)
+					newZombie <- othernode.ID
 					logger.Log(1, "adding", othernode.ID.String(), "to zombie list")
 				} else {
-					zombies = append(zombies, node.ID)
+					newZombie <- node.ID
 					logger.Log(1, "adding", node.ID.String(), "to zombie list")
 				}
 			}
diff --git a/models/network_test.go b/models/network_test.go
index bd79398d..3db60cc3 100644
--- a/models/network_test.go
+++ b/models/network_test.go
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ package models
 
 // moved from controllers need work
 //func TestUpdateNetwork(t *testing.T) {
-//	database.InitializeDatabase()
+//	initialize()
 //	createNet()
 //	network := getNet()
 //	t.Run("NetID", func(t *testing.T) {