Most of us have seen (as well as heard) a bug being zapped by this form of fly repellent. We find them generally used in businesses and in homes to get rid of flying insects. They are typically some kind of fluorescent light intended to attract the insect to the light, as it approaches that light, it is then electrocuted or zapped by electrified wire mesh which is surrounding the light. The question is, how effective is this type of insect repellent?
There is no disputing that bug zappers are very effective at killing insects, but it’s the kind of insects they kill that we should think about. If the purpose is to get rid of biting insects like mosquitos for example, then bug zappers might work as effectively as you might think. The reason is because mosquitoes are attracted to humans and animals more than they are attracted to light, so it is still likely you will be bitten by them even if you have a bug zapper.
While many of us are afraid of all types of insects and would feel happier to have them all be zapped than have them enter our homes, the fact is that this type of repellent kills many insects that do not bite and that we really need for the proper functioning of the environment.
There is also some concern for human safety with the use of bug zappers, this is because as a bug is zapped it is fragmented and blown into the air. This can produce all sorts of bacteria which can be found in the insect to become airborne, up to a distance of 7 feet. That means that anyone in that area can breathe this in, possibly become contaminated with these bacteria. We can see the possible health hazard if a bug zapper is positioned around food preparation.
So, to summarize, although it may appear that bug zappers are a fool proof way of controlling insects in your home or business, they might not be eliminating the right kinds of insects.
There is no disputing that bug zappers are very effective at killing insects, but it’s the kind of insects they kill that we should think about. If the purpose is to get rid of biting insects like mosquitos for example, then bug zappers might work as effectively as you might think. The reason is because mosquitoes are attracted to humans and animals more than they are attracted to light, so it is still likely you will be bitten by them even if you have a bug zapper.
While many of us are afraid of all types of insects and would feel happier to have them all be zapped than have them enter our homes, the fact is that this type of repellent kills many insects that do not bite and that we really need for the proper functioning of the environment.
There is also some concern for human safety with the use of bug zappers, this is because as a bug is zapped it is fragmented and blown into the air. This can produce all sorts of bacteria which can be found in the insect to become airborne, up to a distance of 7 feet. That means that anyone in that area can breathe this in, possibly become contaminated with these bacteria. We can see the possible health hazard if a bug zapper is positioned around food preparation.
So, to summarize, although it may appear that bug zappers are a fool proof way of controlling insects in your home or business, they might not be eliminating the right kinds of insects.
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