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April 20th, 2023 by
Electric fly killers are incredibly helpful devices that use electricity to attract and kill flying insects, such as flies, mosquitoes, and more. They are commonly used in homes, businesses, and outdoor areas to help control the population of flying pests. There are many different types available on the market these days, so how do you know which one is right for you? In this blog, we will discuss the different kinds of electric fly killers and which is the best option for you.
Why Use Electric Fly Killer
Electric fly killers are a great investment for homes or businesses to keep pesky flying insects at bay, in a safe, hygienic and chemical-free manner. They also offer superior killing power as opposed to other methods which will lead to fewer and deal with infestations quicker.
Electric fly killers are also much more optimal than other means such as fly strips, fly curtains and sprays not all because of their improved effectiveness, but because they are generally more hygienic as most insects killed will remain contained within the machine which can then be easily cleaned. While initial purchases may be slightly more expensive fly killers are also a great way to save money in the long run since most models require fewer replacements.
We understand with so many different types available on the market it can be quite confusing to figure out which is the best for you or even what the difference is, to begin with. We will now take some time to look at some of the most popular types and their differences.
Two Main Types
Electric fly killers come in two main types – zappers and glue boards, both are incredibly useful however, each unit has different strengths and is better suited to different environments and these factors can make a big impact on which type you choose -
Zappers
These fly killers are probably the ones you are more familiar with when you think of electric fly killers, as the name suggests they use a combination of light bulbs to attract flies and an electrified grill which will shock and instantly kill insects that come into contact with them. These types of fly killers are ideal for areas where there are large quantities of flies that tend to gather and are usually better suited for behind-the-scenes environments such as kitchens, warehouses or domestic use.
Insectocutor Focus F2 Electric Fly Killer 22 Watts Price: £209.94
Glue Board
Glue board fly killers work similarly to zappers, in that they also use lightbulbs to attract flies and other flying insects towards them, however instead of an electrified grill they use glue board that flies and insects will become stuck to the glue boards where they will then die. These types of fly killers are a little subtler – as there is no electrified rill there will be no ‘zapping’ when flies are killed. The designs are often more discreet and stylish too making them a better choice for front-of-house environments such as restaurants, hotels and offices.
Different Kinds of Lighting
Fluorescent UV Bulbs
Most traditional fly killers use Fluorescent UV bulbs in order to attract flies towards the unit. UV rays, particularly UV-A rays. Flies are attracted to UV rays because they have a natural tendency to navigate using light. Like many other insects, flies are equipped with a series of photoreceptors that allow them to detect light and use it for various purposes such as finding food, avoiding predators, and mating.
UV light falls within the range of wavelengths that are most attractive to flies, as it has a high energy level and appears brighter to their eyes than other types of light. In addition, UV light is often associated with natural sources of food such as flowers and fruits, which are important for the survival of many fly species.
One of the main reasons that flies are attracted to UV light is because it helps them to navigate towards their preferred food sources. For example, in nature, flowers often have UV-reflective patterns that serve as a visual cue to pollinators such as bees and flies. Similarly, many types of fruit emit UV radiation as they ripen, which can be detected by flies and other fruit-loving insects.
However, UV bulbs do have their drawbacks – for example, they are not as energy efficient as some other units, and bulbs will need regular changing with the recommended at least every 12 months.
Insect-a-clear Fly-Shield One Electric Glueboard Fly Killer, 18 Watts Price: £119.94
LED Bulbs
In recent years there has been an increase in LED UV available on the market, which have been designed to be eco-friendlier and energy efficient. While LED bulb did initially have their set-backs in the past such as a limited range and the UVA rays being too powerful which was in fact driving flies and insects away as opposed to attracting them in recent years they have made large leaps in progress and have quickly become with of the more desirable options.
While the base cost of most LED units can be relatively more expensive than traditional fluorescent UV bulbs, they do tend to be the more economical choice in the long run. For example, the bulbs in LED fly killers last on average 3x longer than traditional UV bulbs which makes them a much better choice financially for areas of high usage such as restaurants, offices and kitchens.
Genus Cobra LED Commercial Electric Fly Killer Price: £455.99
Which is The Best Option for Me
So, you may be wondering now that you’ve learnt the difference between some of the most common types – which unit is the best for you and your business? Ultimately it all comes down to preference – but for those front-of-house or customer-facing areas glue board killers are a much more discreet and subtle way to deal with flies. Likewise, for backroom areas or those that have a severe problem with flies then a zapper is likely to be the best option as they are usually more powerful and have improved killing power. When it comes to light bulb choice there are a few things you should consider – how often will it be used? How much do I wish to spend on a machine? Do I want something eco-friendlier? These are all important things to consider, for use in small areas or domestic settings Fluorescent UV bulbs will be a much cheaper option, however for business environments where extended periods of use are required then LED will definitely help to save money in the long run.
With so many options to choose from, we hope this blog was able to give you some insight into the difference and help you make a choice as to which model is the most suited for you.
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