Bug zappers are one of the most popular bug control devices ever. Walk around any suburban neighborhood in the evening, and you'll hear the pop and sizzle of insects being electrocuted. It must be working, right?
Less than 1% of the insects killed by bug zappers are biting insects.
Photo: Flickr user fly again
Sure, the bug zapper is killing insects by the dozens. The problem is, it's not killing the right bugs. Less than 1% of dead bugs lying in the bottom of bug zappers are biting insects, like mosquitoes. Most of the insects fried in these devices are doing us no harm whatsoever, and may even be beneficial. Night-flying moths are attracted to the light of the bug zapper because they navigate by the light of the moon. Beetles, too, tend to fly kamikaze missions.
Research shows that bug zappers make no measurable difference in mosquito populations in your backyard. Save your money for mosquito controls that work.
Comments
I recently read that spraying an area with Listerine! would keep mosquitoes away for a couple of days. I haven’t tried it yet, but if it works, it’s cheaper than those CO2 generators and less toxic than any bug spray. My husband is making fun of it already, but I’m the one that gets bitten.
Thanks for explaining that BUG ZAPPERS DO NO GOOD and actually HURT THE ENVIRONMENT! The best way to use one is to give it to a neighbor you dislike, so it will attract insects to them and contaminate their yard instead of yours! hahaha
Bug zappers only kill exponentially more beneficial insects and attract many more bugs to hang out in your yard than would be there otherwise. Bug zappers also spray fine particles of exploded bug guts over a wide range, which then contaminate your lawn furniture, grass where kids play, picnic table, family, guests, etc. These nasty bug guts include bacteria, viruses and potential allergens (insect parts) which are a health hazard.
For details, see
http://www.k-state.edu/media/WEB/News/NewsReleases/bugs629.html
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1997/07/970730060806.htm
Please spread the word, and give a printout of these articles to anyone you know who uses a bug zapper.
I use a zapper inside the house to get the bugs that get in. Not much point in having one outside in a forest!