With the arrival of the summer season, as well as on vacation in a country house, in addition to pleasant troubles and worries, the issue of fighting various insects and mosquitoes that do not allow us to spend comfortable evening time arises.
Hearing their squeak in the darkness of the night, only one desire appears - to kill. Because you clearly understand that because of these creatures you will no longer have a restful sleep.
Mosquito control methods
Most of us have no particular desire to smear ourselves with various kinds of ointments or spray ourselves with repellent sprays.
Moreover, in the heat, all this can get into the eyes. And when applied to hands, even in food.
You always want an invisible, non-inconvenient, but at the same time effective means of combating these pests.
Not many people know, but such a cheap and affordable option as a mosquito net ends up greatly blocking the access of fresh air to the room.
It seems like a mesh with holes, but there will be no actual movement of air from the street into the house. Only if there is no draft.
Therefore, the Chinese long ago provided us with something else. These are already widely known anti-mosquito or mosquito trap lamps.
Area of use of devices
Since insecticidal lamps do not harm humans and animals, the scope of application has no restrictions. They are placed in any room, where a conventional repeller, plates or other chemical eliminaters of flying pests cannot cope. In particular:
- in houses and apartments;
- at enterprises, in cabins, production workshops;
- in hotels, sanatoriums and other tourist complexes;
- in educational, commercial and social institutions;
- in hospitals, etc.
The insecticidal lamp works perfectly in farms for breeding, growing, and fattening animals. The lamp will get rid of any flying parasites, as well as wasps, bees, and bumblebees. But the device will not help you against cockroaches, bedbugs, fleas and ticks; you will have to buy other equipment.
Principle of operation
Let's take a closer look at their types and all the nuances of operation. Do they actually work or is it a useless advertising gimmick that makes us waste our money?
There are many reviews and opinions on the Internet about these lamps, and they are all very contradictory.
What does a mosquito repellent lamp consist of and what is its principle of operation?
Behind the beautiful lattice plastic case, which can be of any shape and is designed to protect the person himself from accidental touches, there are metal plates.
High voltage is applied to these same plates. Although it is high, in terms of human safety everything is fine here.
Of course, if you pull, it will jerk, but not fatally. Moreover, if such discharges kill mosquitoes instantly, then they may not be able to cope with flies or larger specimens, such as butterflies or moths, the first time.
Therefore, they can most often be seen sluggishly crawling at the bottom of such traps or on the floor next to them. What can we say about a person?
Also keep in mind that even after unplugging it from the socket, there is still a charge from the capacitor between the plates.
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To remove it, simply close the plates with the tip of a ballpoint pen or screwdriver.
The dangers and effectiveness of ultraviolet radiation
Behind these plates there are LEDs that should emit ultraviolet light with a certain wavelength of 350-360 nm, thereby attracting mosquitoes.
Many “experts” are afraid that such ultraviolet radiation is harmful to vision and will burn your eyes. This means that such lamps are traps and are harmful not only to insects, but also to humans.
But this statement is true only for powerful quartz lamps. That is why glasses are worn under their radiation.
In these same light bulbs, there will be even less ultraviolet radiation than from solar radiation on a clear, fine day.
If it was a directed laser beam at a specific point in the room, and you were under its influence, then it would be a different matter.
And it turns out that these anti-mosquito lamps are absolutely harmless to health.
Although it must be admitted, there were attempts to introduce full-fledged laser guns, which would shoot down mosquitoes with their beams as they approached.
The well-known Bill Gates and his wife Melinda were involved in the project and draining their money.
The ultimate noble goal was to help African countries fight malaria.
But in the end, the project was expectedly canceled as unrealistic. As if at the very beginning of the journey it was not clear that the Chinese, with their cheap and no less effective options, would win.
Here is a video demonstrating their laser anti-mosquito gun. It’s fine for a beautiful movie, but for some reason it didn’t work as a real mass product for poor African users.
There is also an opinion in reviews and testimonials that in fact ultraviolet radiation does not attract insects at all, and simple bulbs with warm light are even more effective in this sense.
However, here is what Professor Yu.A. Zakhvatkin says about this. in his book “Course of General Entomology”.
As you can see, for a mosquito it still makes a difference what kind of light the light bulb emits. That is why they chose ultraviolet radiation for the manufacture of such devices.
Industrial insecticidal equipment
Where the use of chemical gases is undesirable, industrial insecticidal lamps for food production are used. The price of such equipment is affordable even for beginning entrepreneurs. Data from the inspection and analysis of industrial series insecticidal lamps indicate the effectiveness of the devices.
Long-range electric lamps are used where there are no exposed food products and raw materials. If food is stored openly, use food-grade adhesive insecticidal lamps. You can buy equipment or order insecticidal treatment at the Moscow Sanitary and Epidemiological Service “Mos Eco-Service”. Call if you have any questions. We know how to help you.
ATTENTION! Promotional insecticidal lamp for 200 square meters. from 10,500 rubles.
Types of mosquito lamps
Also on store shelves you can find models that operate in two light streams. For example, ZappLight bulbs.
They emit both neutral white, with a brightness of several hundred lumens, and ultraviolet light.
The first one turns on for normal lighting, and the second one at night. The size of the light bulb determines the area where insects will be attracted.
Mosquitoes fly into this light, touch the plates and die from a high voltage click. This is a kind of electric chair for them.
Such lamps can be used not only in the bedroom, but also on the street or on farms, in cowsheds, and rabbit hutches.
Do not forget that mosquitoes can be active carriers of any infection. True, this will be a slightly different type of lamp, differing in both size and shape.
The most common examples are these, hanging on a hook.
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But there are also giant models.
I can't even imagine who they are intended to hunt. Bats?
You can also buy hand traps in the shape of tennis rackets.
But here, before going to bed, you will have to actively wave your arms.
Review of popular models
There are several varieties of electrical appliances in question on the market. Models differ in design, ergonomics, technical characteristics and, accordingly, price.
Well brand insecticidal lamps (Taiwan)
The products of this brand are intended for installation in public and industrial premises, warehouses. The power range of the devices varies from 8 to 80 W. The appearance of the brand's devices is shown by the image of the WE-150-2 device.
This is a pendant-type device, equipped with a removable tray and 2 lamps. Capable of destroying flying insects over an area of up to 80 m2. L-15D or LB-15 lamps are used. The dimensions of WE-150-2 are 470x130x330 mm, and the device weighs 7 kg. The device consumes no more than 50 W. The electric discharge trap is only suitable for dry rooms. The price on the market is from 10 thousand rubles.
On a note! Household appliances of this brand are smaller in size and are offered on the market in the price range of 6-7 thousand.
Anti-mosquito lamp Skat (Russia)
Suitable for use outdoors, on a terrace or in a gazebo. Impact area up to 20-30 m2. There are models powered by mains power, a built-in battery and/or solar panels . Depending on the version, they can be equipped with a stand attached to the bottom of the lantern for installation in the ground. Price from 900 to 1500 rubles.
Devices from the Italian brand Mo El
These insecticidal lamps are intended for use in residential areas. There are many form factors for devices, and original technical solutions are also used: an internal surface with a replaceable adhesive tape, for example, or a fan for sucking in insects. The compact model MO-PLICK 398 can work as a night light, simultaneously luring and destroying insects.
The price of devices on the market is from 3-4 thousand rubles and above.
HILTON (Germany)
HILTON GP-4 Black is a popular representative of a series of models of anti-mosquito lamps of the German brand for effective control of insects. This is a household device for installation in small residential premises (up to 50 m2). The power of the device is small - 4 W. Cost 400-500 rubles.
On a note! The brand’s model line also includes more powerful models costing about 2-3 thousand rubles.
Installation locations
For trap lamps to work effectively, you need to know how to place them correctly.
It is recommended to install them not in the center or end, but at the border of the room and open air. That is, not far from the door or window.
Then they will work much better, stopping a bunch of living creatures at the entrance. Some place them in street lamps, on paths.
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Thus, they try to contain the blood-sucking creatures as much as possible, even on the approaches to the house. However, the effectiveness of this method is questionable.
After all, street posts and bollards are intended for other purposes.
Although in several cities in North America, traps of this kind are also placed on the street, but for a slightly different purpose. There are even maps of their location with location reference.
Based on the number of insects caught in traps over a certain period of time, the percentage of the norm is calculated. And if it exceeds the permissible values, on a certain night cars begin to drive around the area and actively spray the poison.
Or they release a large number of pre-bred dragonflies in this area.
Classification of devices and their brands
All ultraviolet lamps, although they operate on the basis of attracting attention to light, differ from each other in their area of application and method of exposure. There are lamps that operate exclusively with electric current, and there are models in which glue is applied to the grille.
Non-electric lamps with a sticky base are needed where current cannot be used for fire safety reasons (dryers, warehouses, etc.) Here you will have to regularly change the grille. Once every few days.
According to the scope of application there are:
- Devices for household use. Well-known brands Energy, Samurai, Mo El, etc.
- Devices for public use. They are produced by Mo El, Well, Hilton
- Industrial devices used in large storage facilities and agriculture. The most famous manufacturer here is WELL
When deciding to purchase this device, measure the area where the UV lamp will work. If the protected space is large, you may need 2 devices.
Do mosquito repellent lamps work?
But let's still find out whether this thing really attracts annoying insects?
The most recent research on mosquitoes suggests that these creatures have multisensory perception. This means that they use several senses simultaneously to find their prey.
So, the main means of identifying a victim is smell, not light! They capture carbon dioxide released when a person breathes and the smell of sweat.
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Moreover, they can do this over long distances and will pursue their target for a long time. When approaching at a distance of up to 15m, the mosquito can already see the target.
And even closer, at a distance of up to 1 m, it picks up heat, identifying the most exposed areas of the skin and begins to strive for them.
So what is an anti-mosquito lamp, does it work under such conditions? Of course it works, only with a few big BUTs.
- firstly, if you are not nearby
When a person is nearby, the mosquito is more likely to fly towards him, and will react little to this thing.
For example, you can turn it on in the bedroom before going to bed and leave the room. During this time, it will collect most of the pests and provide you with a good night.
When installed outdoors, such traps will primarily attract those insects that actively respond to light. Mosquitoes don't particularly like them.
- secondly, in your presence in the room, such a lamp will only kill random and curious beasts
Smarter creatures will definitely wait for their chance to taste your blood later.
Sometimes, after a month of use, you can find no more than a couple of mosquito corpses in it, although you will see them in the surrounding area every evening.
If they were 100% attracted to such light, it would be possible to dig a small pond with crucian carp at the dacha. And as an alternative to underwater lamps, install such a lamp at the bottom in a waterproof housing.
And the fish will always be well-fed and the lighting will be beautiful.
Operating principle of electric shredders
The device is a durable housing with ultraviolet lamps, which are covered with a fine-mesh grille. An electric current (2000-5000 V) is supplied to the grid. The current is sufficient to kill insects; for a person, an accidental touch will not be fatal.
The lamps generate radiation with a wavelength of 350-360 nanometers, which attracts flying pests. Once on the grate, they burn and fall into the pan. The owner’s task is to clean the container in a timely manner, as well as promptly turn on the device to the network or change the batteries. The device does everything else on its own. The lamp works best in the dark; in the light, efficiency decreases.
How it works
But seriously, there is one interesting point here. Although you will see plenty of flying insects, there is a good chance that their activity will be minimal.
They will simply fly like drunken people around the room, periodically landing on furniture, walls, and ceilings, but what’s interesting is that they won’t bite anyone.
What is this connected with? There are two opinions on this matter.
The first thing is that the stroboscopic effect of LEDs confuses their orientation in space. They, of course, smell the smell, but if a light blinks nearby, the mosquito cannot visually identify its victim.
For many, this explanation sounds like nonsense, since most believe that mosquitoes generally don’t care whether there is light in the room or not. Moreover, stroboscopic blinking is often caused by low-cost manufacturing and low quality LEDs.
Moreover, on the contrary, it has a bad effect on humans, and not on midges. In country houses, in this sense, a safer and more effective remedy for all blood-sucking insects is air conditioning.
They really don’t like the cold, but they will provide you with comfortable sleeping conditions. When connected correctly, mobile air conditioners do a good job of this.
There is another explanation for the effect of a decrease in insect activity from these lamps. In their natural habitat, ultraviolet light directs mosquitoes towards water. They need it to lay eggs.
The fact is that UV, having passed through the clouds, is refracted in them and reaches the ground not in a continuous beam, but in many separate rays. Moreover, they all have a different direction.
Reaching the surface of the water, the light is reflected and polarized, aligning all these rays. We can say that ultraviolet is somewhat modified. Mosquitoes that are sensitive to this spectrum see this very well, which helps them in searching for bodies of water.
Seeing such a glow from a light bulb, which reminds them of reflected ultraviolet light from a surface, mosquitoes and all similar creatures forget about the person and begin to actively look for a source of water. But he’s not there!
That’s why they don’t land on you, flying around like they’re drunk and not understanding what’s happening. By the way, a person can also be easily deceived with colors, but few people think about this.
Operating principle of adhesive insecticidal traps
Insecticidal lamp trap
The principle of operation of adhesive EILNs is identical: the paws lure insects, only they do not die from electricity, but stick to the adhesive cartridge (plate). Such devices can operate without replacing the cartridge for about 7 weeks. If insect densities are high, the insecticidal lamp plate may need to be replaced more frequently.
When choosing a device, you need to take into account that the more lamps it has, the larger the area it can serve. However, the UV insecticidal lamp must be replaced periodically. This affects the final cost of the equipment.
Insecticidal lamps for large areas
As for large premises with animals, insecticidal lamps are used there, of a slightly different design and higher power.
These copies cost more money, but they can also be easily found in online stores. In size and shape they resemble spiral electric heaters.
In addition to being placed on a flat surface, they can also be hung by a chain.
Fluorescent lamps are installed inside their housing, emitting light in the ultraviolet spectrum. There are also high-voltage plates and a protective grill.
The flashlight is started through the starter, just like a regular fluorescent lamp.
The effectiveness of its work can be seen in the photo.
However, again, the victims here are mostly not mosquitoes, but other light-loving insects - butterflies, moths, flies.
However, if such a lantern did not exist, all these living creatures would constantly fly indoors, landing on animals, flying into your eyes and mouth. But don’t think that there will be no flies at all. Their number will simply decrease significantly.
Despite this, such insecticidal lamps are widely used in the food industry, in cafes and restaurants.
Here their main task is to fight flies, and not mosquitoes.
What conclusion can be drawn from all of the above? Of course, such devices have an effect.
And when asked whether such a lamp helps you sleep peacefully, we can confidently say that yes, in most cases it helps.
Even without plugging in various types of fumigators into the sockets, it can provide you with a sound sleep. But remember that this is not primarily a trap to attract mosquitoes, and it only kills creatures that accidentally fly into it.
Therefore, you should not be upset if in the morning you do not find a mountain of corpses of blood-sucking creatures in it. And constantly clean the grill from them.
The main thing is that they do not bother you.
Rules for using insect exterminators
Despite the simplicity and ease of use, manufacturers recommend adhering to some recommendations:
- Before cleaning, the device is disconnected from the power supply. Even if you just need to shake out the pallet, it is better to turn off the power to the shredder.
- Place or hang the lamp in a place where there are no drafts. Also, do not allow constant contact with textiles, body parts and various objects.
- If the device stops working, check the condition of the lamps. Failure of heaters is the most common cause of decreased operating efficiency. Replacement of lamps is carried out only in a de-energized device.
- Repairing devices should only be trusted to professionals. Any manipulations by a master without experience can result in final failure without the possibility of recovery.
The use of insecticidal lamps in production is an opportunity to avoid fines and provide visitors with the required level of comfort. Before choosing a destroyer lamp for your dining room or cafe, call our specialists! The EcoSniper company has a wide range of models for any premises and for any requirements.
