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Do Bug Zappers Work? Yeah—About As Well As Any Other Indiscriminate Wildlife Slaughter.

Bug zappers kill bugs by the thousands. But there’s a problem: They kill the wrong bugs. They are ineffective against mosquitoes and other biting flies, and their otherwise indiscriminate killing can disrupt pollination and generally throw the environment out of balance. Plus, the force of their electrocution can spew a mist of disease-ridden bug parts out into the air. All of the mosquito experts we spoke with and every relevant university extension office we could find unanimously condemned bug zappers. To keep an area free of bugs or to prevent yourself from getting bitten, there are much better alternatives.

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Articles of Interest

Do bug zappers really help fight mosquitoes?

Bug zappers use ultraviolet light to attract and then kill insects with electricity. They're capable of eliminating over 10,000 bugs in a single evening. However, traditional bug zappers are ineffective against mosquitoes because they are not attracted to UV light. A study found that less than one-quarter of 1 percent of the insects killed by bug zappers were biting gnats or mosquitoes.

Do Mosquito Zappers Really Work? Separating Fact from Fiction

Bug zappers typically work by using a bulb to emit UV light that is said to attract bugs. If you’ve ever been around a zapper, you’ve probably heard enough sizzling to know that they’re definitely attracting something. The trouble is, they’re typically attracting and zapping bugs like moths and beetles, neither of which are the problem you’re trying to address

Snap! Crackle! Pop! Electric Bug Zappers Are Useless For Controlling Mosquitoes, Says UF/IFAS Pest Expert

“They are a total waste of money. Bug zappers will not control mosquitoes or other biting insects such as horseflies, dogflies or deerflies,” said Jonathan Day, associate professor of entomology with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. “The main reason bug zappers don’t work is that mosquitoes are extremely sensitive to carbon dioxide,” Day said. “They see the UV light in your yard, but once they pick up even the slightest trace of carbon dioxide from people, they change direction and zero in on the source of that odor.

Trying to kill mosquitoes? Don’t buy a bug zapper

I’m talking about the bug zapper. Many people use the device to rid themselves of mosquitoes and other pests. “Kill flies, mosquitoes, gnats, and wasps,” touts Black and Decker. Flowtron will help eliminate flying pests over up to “2 acres” for just $315. Another advertises itself as an “eco-friendly” way to “instantly kill” mosquitoes.