The Problem with Zappers Bug zappers kill tons of beneficial insects while missing most of the biting insects that pest us. Bug zappers will not control mosquitoes or other biting insects such as horseflies, dog flies, or deer flies. They simply do not work as advertised.
One danger of these devices is that they heat the insect's body quickly, boiling the liquids, and the resulting steam spatters the insect's innards all around the area. This has caused infections in the past when the device was placed near picnic tables, etc., where food was being prepared.
Entomologists collected, counted and identified the dead insects and found dramatic results: of 13,789 insects killed, only 31 of them were mosquitoes or close relatives. Surprisingly, in spite of these findings, bug zappers are still around, and so are mosquitoes.
Killing the Wrong Bugs
Based on the study's results, bug zappers are killing beneficial insects like beetles and moths, which can result in negative effects on local ecosystems.
The air around the bug zapper can become contaminated by bacteria and viruses that can be inhaled by, or settle on the food of people in the immediate vicinity.
There is no evidence to suggest that insect traps using ultraviolet black light increase your risk of developing skin cancer, as the amount of ultraviolet radiation they emit is very low. Black lights emit a type of ultraviolet radiation called UVA, which is invisible to the human eye.
The truth is that mosquitoes are not attracted to ultraviolet light in the way that many other insects are, making the usual type of bug zapper almost useless in getting rid of them. Worse, the sheer number of non-harmful insects killed by the zappers can take a heavy toll on the ecosystem.
If a shock does occur, it is typically mild, but individuals with certain health conditions or those who are more sensitive to electric shocks may experience discomfort.
Yes, bug zappers can attract and inadvertently kill beneficial insects such as pollinators and predators of pest insects, disrupting local ecosystems.
Unfortunately, bug zappers are a little too good to be true. While they do eliminate hundreds of pests, they tend to only attract the most beneficial pests for your lawn, garden, and home. Mosquitoes are not generally attracted to bug zappers, and some insects – like cockroaches – do not typically fly towards them.
One study estimated even a fraction of the bug zappers sold in the United States kill more than 70 billion insects annually — with no discernible impact on mosquitoes or other biting insects. This pointless slaughter of local insect populations may be hastening the decline of species, the insect apocalypse.
Effective ways to kill mosquitoes include removing breeding grounds, encouraging predators, applying an agent containing BTI or IGR, and using traps. Insect repellents and bug zappers don't kill mosquitoes.
Many birds will eat mosquitoes. The more important among these are purple martins, swallows, waterfowl (geese, terns, ducks) and migratory songbirds. Bird predators usually eat both the adult and aquatic stages of mosquitoes.
The human health risk assessment concluded that there are no risks of concern because no toxic effects have been identified when used as a dermally applied insect repellent, and there is no dietary or occupational exposure for DEET.
The air surrounding the zapper may become contaminated with campylobacter jejuni, staphylococci, serratia marcescens, enterococci, and other potentially dangerous organisms commonly carried by flies.
Do I need to turn my bug zapper on and off each time I use it? The most efficient and effective way to run a bug zapper is to leave it on 24/7. By doing this, you help break down the insect breeding cycle.
One study found that red, orange, cyan (blue-green), and black tend to draw mosquitoes, while colors that make you more difficult to see can repel mosquitoes, including white, green, blue, and purple. Based on these findings, wearing pastels in cooler hues may reduce your risk of bites.
While electric insect killers, or bug zappers, are a commonly used pest control method among property owners, you may be surprised to learn that they're not actually that effective—they can even be harmful. Keep reading to find out why outdoor bug zappers may not be the best addition to your yard.
It has been well documented in the literature that light in the ultraviolet (UV) range is attractive to flies and other insects (e.g., Hollingsworth et al. 1968), but it was Thimijan and Pickens (1973) who found that wavelengths between 310 and 370 nm are the most attractive to house flies, Musca domestica L.
Katchy Indoor Insect Trap
This unit combines three trapping techniques—a UV light, a powerful fan, and a sticky glue board—to eliminate mosquitoes, fruit flies, gnats, and other small bugs. It's intended for indoor use and should be placed near the source of the insect activity, such as a fruit basket or trash bin.
Effectiveness. Both Fluorescent and LED insect killers can kill flying insects. However, the LED type may not be as effective with crawlers like ants, spiders, or cockroaches. If you need to rid your home of flies and mosquitoes in large areas, go for a UV type.
It is generally safe to sleep with a black light on, as long as it is not too bright and does not emit harmful levels of ultraviolet radiation.