Bug zapper

Bug zappers are popular devices used to control flying insects including flies, mosquitoes, moths, midges, etc in both indoor and outdoor areas.

Bug zappers kill bugs by the thousands. They are ineffective against mosquitoes and other biting flies, and their otherwise indiscriminate killing can disrupt pollination and generally throw the environment out of balance. Plus, the force of their electrocution can spew a mist of disease-ridden bug parts out into the air. All of the mosquito experts we spoke with and every relevant university extension office we could find unanimously condemned bug zappers. To keep an area free of bugs or to prevent yourself from getting bitten, there are much better alternatives.

Bug zapper

A bug zapper , more formally called an electrical discharge insect control system , electric insect killer or insect electrocutor trap , is a device that attracts and kills flying insects that are attracted by light. A light source attracts insects to an electrical grid, where they are electrocuted by touching two wires with a high voltage between them. The name comes from the characteristic onomatopoeic " zap " sound produced when an insect is electrocuted. Bug zappers are usually housed in a protective cage of plastic or grounded metal bars to prevent people or larger animals from touching the high voltage grid. A light source is fitted inside, often a fluorescent lamp designed to emit both visible and ultraviolet light, which is visible to insects and attracts a variety of them. The light source is surrounded by a pair of interleaved bare wire grids or helices. The distance between adjacent wires is typically about 2 mm 0. A high-voltage power supply powered by wall power is used, which may be a simple transformerless voltage multiplier circuit made with diodes and capacitors which can generate a voltage of 2 kilovolts or more. This is high enough to conduct through the body of an insect which bridges the two grids, but not high enough to spark across the air gap. Enough electric current flows through the small body of the insect to heat it to a high temperature. Many bug zappers are fitted with trays that collect the electrocuted insects; other models are designed to allow the debris to fall to the ground below. Some use a fan to help to trap the insect. Bug zapper traps may be installed indoors, or outdoors if they are constructed to withstand the effects of weather. However, they are not effective at killing biting insects female mosquitoes and other insects outdoors, [4] [5] being much more effective at attracting and killing other harmless and beneficial insects.

Kansas State University.

Every product is independently selected by obsessive editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission. Mosquito season is upon us, and headache-inducing citronella candles are powerless to stop it. The best of these will target specific insect species, rather than killing indiscriminately. Many can even create a completely protective zone in your home or backyard.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Amanda Rose Newton is a pest specialist and horticulture expert, reviewing pest control and gardening content for The Spruce's Cleaning and Gardening Review Board. Her passion for pest control and sustainable gardening allows her to review plant and pest content for best practices and accuracy. She is a professor of Horticulture, an Education Specialist, and a pest specialist. A quality bug zapper kills mosquitos , flies, and other flying insects that are attracted to UV light and can make entertaining outdoors more enjoyable. Many zappers can also be used indoors to avoid swatting away pesky bugs in your home. We researched the best models on the market and tested a few in our own backyards and homes, evaluating them on ease of setup and maintenance, durability, and coverage.

Bug zapper

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us? The advent of summer means more late night barbecues and pool parties , but that also means more bugs. Without a bug zapper to mitigate the flies and mosquitos, your relaxing evening on the deck can quickly turn into a feast for pests that want to munch on your family, guests, or that slab of juicy watermelon. Bug zappers can help rid your yard of mosquitos and other bugs—which can be as dangerous as they are annoying. Mosquitoes carry diseases such as West Nile virus. Many people also have allergic reactions to bites, ranging from irritating rashes to severe medical emergencies. There are tons of bug zappers available, from those designed for indoor use to those that double as outdoor lights. To deter them fully, consider netting, citronella candles, and other additional remedies like we lay out in the section on Coverage Area below.

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The best of these will target specific insect species, rather than killing indiscriminately. Of the nearly 14, insects that were electrocuted and counted, only 31 0. Food and Drug Administration. Target pest: Mosquitoes Best use: Outdoor Power source: USB rechargeable Thermacell also makes a personal mosquito repeller that can be gripped and waved around like a magic wand for extra peace of mind. We have recommendations for both types in our guide to the best bug repellents. And these are only a few examples of what we found. What is dioxin? Bug Zappers attract flying insects with ultraviolet lamps. Kansas State University. Hidden categories: CS1: long volume value Articles with short description Short description matches Wikidata All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from August Commons category link is on Wikidata. Day has long been in opposition to bug zappers.

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Be sure to read product labels for usage directions. Another device uses a chemical that the manufacturer claims blocks the mosquito's olfactory receptors. If you require an indoor bug zapper for control of flies in a food processing situation please click here for our range of indoor models. The device is powered by a propane tank, so no electricity is required. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bug zappers. We asked Day about this. Some electronic bug zappers compensate for this by emitting Octenol , a non-toxic, pesticide-free pheromone mosquito attractant. While Purple Martins and bats eat huge quantities of insects, mosquitoes are not a significant portion of their diet. We asked Day why there were no recent studies on this. By: Craig Freudenrich, Ph. As the bug flies toward the light, it penetrates the space between the wire-mesh grids and completes the electric circuit. Every editorial product is independently selected. A light source attracts insects to an electrical grid, where they are electrocuted by touching two wires with a high voltage between them. Our repellent recommendations are EPA approved, backed by experts, and tested by us.