problem? According to scientists, none of these claims are true. In fact, using a bug zapper increases your chances of getting bitten by mosquitoes while sitting in your backyard.
“When it comes to mosquitoes, bug traps are useless,” says entomologist James Fordyce of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. “I don’t know any insect ecologist who doesn’t know that.”
bug zapper is They have a great ability to kill bugs, but they’re not the only bugs that will sting you. Of the thousands of insects these devices electrocute each night, almost all are harmless. One study estimates that even a small fraction of bug zappers are sold in the United States. Kill over 70 billion insects There is no noticeable effect on mosquitoes or other biting insects. This senseless slaughter of local insect populations may be accelerating species decline, or insect apocalypse.
I spoke to an expert about why bug zappers are a really bad idea to get rid of mosquitoes, and what works instead.
Why bug zapper doesn’t work
Bug zappers claim to work by attracting mosquitoes, usually using a light bulb that emits ultraviolet light or sometimes carbon dioxide. Or chemical bait. The charged metal mesh incinerates when it comes into contact with the A searing “pop.”
However, research shows that mosquitoes and other biting insects virtually never enter the zapper.
In 1997, University of Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory We tallied the number of deaths caused by one bug zapper per night. 10,000 insects. There were only 8 mosquitoes. Similar studies echo these findings.
Around the same time, researchers at the University of Delaware used bug zappers to Catch 13,789 insects in one summer. Biting insects such as mosquitoes and gnats accounted for only 31 (0.22%). What did it kill? Most of them are useful bugs. Approximately half of the victims (6,670 insects) were harmless aquatic species from nearby rivers and streams, food for fish in the aquatic food chain. Many others were parasitic wasps and beetles that naturally prey on mosquitoes.
Scientists say mosquitoes, like other blood-sucking insects, are not fooled by zappers because they have evolved to target carbon dioxide exhaled by animals rather than ultraviolet light. Even though mosquitoes are attracted to bug zappers, they quickly turn their attention to their favorite food: warm-blooded mammals, especially humans.
Philip Kaufman, chair of the entomology department at Texas A&M University, said that so far, there is no evidence in the scientific literature to support the claims made by many insect exterminators, and that “I have not seen any published data showing efficacy.” ing.
Colorado State University Extension Service reached a similar conclusion, stating that “there are no controlled scientific studies showing that these devices reduce mosquito bite rates outdoors.” on the website.
We asked three major bug zapper manufacturers – black and decker, Aspetecand Flotron — For research to support marketing claims, the Federal Trade Commission says this:Competent and reliable evidence”
After multiple inquiries, no one provided any documentation to support their claims. Black & Decker referred all questions to the contract manufacturer, but again received no response.
These claims not only ignore scientific evidence and mislead purchasers, but also have the potential to provide a false sense of security to those who use these devices to protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases in the United States. Fordyce said there is. “If you want to avoid being bitten, repellents are the solution,” he says. “Even if the zapper worked…it’s like stirring water while armed with an underwater gun to avoid sharks.”
The FTC did not comment on the companies’ marketing statements, but noted that it was investigating misleading statements and safety issues made in the past. Warning statement and filing Case To manufacturers of other types of pest control equipment, such as ultrasonic equipment. FTC officials advise the public Submit a complaint through the website.
What repels mosquitoes?
Bug zappers are just one of many questionable products that promise to get rid of biting insects.Ultrasonic equipment and Propane-fired CO2 trapPesticide Mister is among them. Do not workIt may even attract mosquitoes, according to Texas A&M.
But there are many ways To protect themselves without killing the rest of the insect world. We’ve compiled the best ones here:
Clean your garden: Prevention first. Mosquitoes need standing water to breed. “The most important thing you can do is dump standing water,” says Angela Laws of Zerces, a conservation nonprofit specializing in invertebrates. If the problem persists, she recommends coordinating with neighbors and creating a community-wide effort to eliminate breeding spaces. Spraying in your neighborhood seems to be effective, but the effect only lasts a few days at most, as new mosquitoes are just flying in.
trap: If you want to take care of your garden, try “”.bucket of ruin” Simple designbased on technology developed by the Centers for Disease Controluse a 5-gallon bucket filled with water and leaves or straw. Mosquitoes love to lay their eggs here. By adding granules of Naturally occurring bacteria (Bacillus thuringiensis), mosquito larvae are killed after hatching and pose no danger to mammals, amphibians, reptiles, or other insects.You can purchase related traps recommended by consumer report Ovi-Catch AGO traps etc. sold by catch master or “GAT” trap sold by the company Biogent.
Hide with clothes: It sounds simple, but wearing long sleeves and pants can prevent most bites. Using repellents (see below) can prevent many of the rest.
turn on the fan: Mosquitoes cannot fly against a constant wind.a simple fanfor those who prefer below table level It can protect your lower legs and keep away many mosquitoes.
Use repellents. This is the gold standard. For nearly a century, scientists have searched for safe, effective, and long-lasting insect repellents. They have had remarkable success. Many options exist today.
Almost all repellents applied to the skin are Registered with the Environmental Protection Agency For safety and effectiveness. To find a specific product, use EPA’s tool to search for registered products. insect repellent It depends on the brand, protection time and other criteria.
Lemon eucalyptus oil, PMD, and picaridin, a compound found in certain pepper plants, are among the popular options. But none are as effective as DEET, the common ingredient in Off!, Cutter, Sawyer, and Ultrathon. Just one application will repel mosquitoes and ticks for almost the entire day.
Discovered more than 70 years ago, DEET is not a pesticide, but a synthetic compound that mimics wild chemicals avoided by insects, says the Brazilian biochemist at the University of California, Davis, who discovered the mechanism behind DEET. says entomologist Walter Riel.
Many people have avoided it, perhaps because of its mistaken association with toxic chemicals and DDT, an insecticide that harms birds, but it is effective against mosquitoes, biting flies, chiggers, fleas, and ticks. Proven to be the most effective. It is considered safe for people and wildlife. On the other hand, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggest Parents should use DEET “sparingly” in children under 2 years of age; the study DEET concludes that when used as directed, there is “little risk.”
“The idea that ‘natural’ is always good and synthetic is always bad is a terrible concept,” Leal says. “Because many natural products are highly toxic. It’s a case by case basis.”