Bug zapper

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
An outdoor 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

onomatopoeic "zap
" sound produced when an insect is electrocuted.

Description

Indoor bug zapper which can be used, for example, in a bedroom

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

helices
. The distance between adjacent wires is typically about 2 mm (0.079 in).

A high-voltage

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.[3] The impedance
of the power supply and the arrangement of the grid is such that it cannot drive a dangerous current through the body of a human.

Bug Zapper (electric insect killer) electrocutes a big fly

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.

Indoors or outdoors use

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. A study by the University of Delaware showed that over a period of 15 summer nights, 13,789 insects were killed among six devices. Of those insects killed, only 31 were biting insects.[6]

Mosquitoes are attracted to

octenol, to better attract biting insects into the trap.[citation needed
]

Scattering

Research has shown that when insects are

viruses that can be inhaled by, or settle on the food of people in the immediate vicinity.[7][8]

The

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises that the bug zapper should not be installed above a food preparation area, and that insects should be retained within the device.[9]
Scatter-proof designs are produced for this purpose.

Hand-held type

Main article: Fly-killing device § Electric flyswatter

Battery-powered bug zappers are manufactured, often in the shape of a

tennis racket, with which flying insects can be hit.[10] Low-cost versions may use a standard disposable battery, while rechargeable bug zappers may use a lithium ion battery.[11]

History

Early model prototype fly zapper circa 1911, conceded to be too expensive to be practical

In its October 1911 issue, Popular Mechanics magazine had a piece showing a model "fly trap" that used all the elements of a modern bug zapper, including electric light and electrified grid. The design was implemented by two unnamed Denver men and was conceded to be too expensive to be of practical use. The device was 10 by 15 inches (25 by 38 cm), contained 5 incandescent light bulbs, and the grid was 1⁄16-inch (1.59 mm) wires spaced 1⁄8-inch (3.17 mm) apart with a voltage of 450 volts. Users were supposed to bait the interior with meat.[12]

According to the US Patent and Trademark Office, the first bug zapper was patented in 1932 by William M. Frost.[13]

Separately, William Brodbeck Herms (1876–1949), a professor of parasitology at the University of California, had been working on large commercial insect traps for over 20 years for the protection of California's important fruit industry. In 1934 he introduced the electronic insect killer that became the model for all future bug zappers.[14]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bug zappers.

References

  1. ^ Tabanidae Attracted to an Ultraviolet Light Trap,Darrell W. Anthony,The Florida Entomologist, Vol. 43, No. (Jun., 1960), pp. 77-80 Published by: Florida Entomological Society DOI: 10.2307/3492383 https://www.jstor.org/stable/3492383
  2. ^ Insect Vision: Ultraviolet, Color, and LED LightMarianne Shockley Cruz Ph.D. and Rebecca LindnerUniversity of Georgia Department of Entomology November 2011. https://www.discoverlife.org/moth/OTHER/InsectVision_UVColorandLEDLight.pdf
  3. ^ Freudenrich, Craig (11 July 2001). "Bug Zappers". How Stuff Works. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
  4. ^ sciencedaily.com: "Snap! Crackle! Pop! Electric Bug Zappers Are Useless For Controlling Mosquitoes, Says UF/IFAS Pest Expert" July 30, 2013.
  5. ^ a b "Bug Zappers are Harmful, Not Helpful". Horticulture and Home Pest News. IC-475 (15). Iowa State University. 1996-06-14. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
  6. ^ "Full text of "Density and Diversity of Nontarget Insects Killed by Suburban Electric Insect Traps"". archive.org. Retrieved 2015-12-29.
  7. ^ "Can bug zappers help transmit diseases?". HowStuffWorks. Retrieved 30 April 2009.
  8. S2CID 23790034. Archived from the original
    on 2013-06-11. Retrieved 2009-10-22. bug zappers not only pose an immediate threat because of the release of bacteria and viruses, but they also release insect particles which are potential allergens or which cause various respiratory conditions
  9. U.S. Food and Drug Administration
    . 2009. Retrieved 2013-06-23.
  10. ^ Does Electrifying Mosquitoes Protect People From Disease? thealtlantic.com, 5 May 2017.
  11. ^ "Rechargeable Bug Zappers". Zapout. 2020-04-27. Retrieved 2020-06-26.
  12. ^ Windsor, H. H., ed. (October 1911). "An electric death trap for the fly". Popular Mechanics. 16 (4): 464.
  13. ^ US US1871978A, Frost, William M., "Insect electrocutor", issued 1932-08-16 
  14. ^ "Electric Chair For Insects Helps Farmers", 1990 march
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