Why The Mosquito Zapper Is Popular
Mosquitoes are the bugs that best symbolizes the clash of nature and humans. Their incessant buzzing and painful bites send people running indoors.
Not only are mosquitoes annoying, but they can be extremely dangerous.
Lately, West Nile Virus has been covered extensively in the news. But this is not the only mosquito-borne disease humans can contract. Throughout the U.S., people, especially those with impaired immune systems, children and senior citizens, have suffered from a variety of illnesses caused by mosquito bites. The effects of these illnesses can be mild,
from annoying headaches and flu-like symptoms, to extreme effects requiring hospitalization.
People have been trying to get rid of mosquitoes for hundreds of years, and fortunes have been made on the never-ending quest for good mosquito control. Some solutions have proven to be highly effective. Others, like the mosquito zapper, have turned out to be a fluke. (Mosquito Control)
Mosquito Zapper Evolution
Popular Mechanics featured a model insect trap in their 1911 issue that mirrors today’s modern mosquito zapper, complete with an electric light and electrified cage. Two unnamed Denver men designed this first mosquito zapper, but ultimately concluded it would be too expensive for widespread use.
Through the years, the original mosquito zapper has evolved and found its way into the backyards of homes across America. The zap, crack, and pop of the mosquito zapper has become a part of summer evening soundtracks.
The zap, crack, and pop is actually the sound of an insect being heated to a temperature high enough to explode its body. Using a light source, often a fluorescent lamp, the mosquito zapper emits violet and ultraviolet light to attract insects. Surrounding the light is a pair of interleaved bare wire grids or spirals. The mosquito zapper also has a high-voltage power supply that generates enough electricity to conduct through the insect’s body, which bridges the two grids, but not high enough to spark across the air gap. This key amount of electricity in a mosquito zapper, and the cage surrounding the electrical current, are what protect animals and humans from receiving a shock. (Bug Zapper)
Mosquito Zappers Miss the Mark
The mosquito zapper simply doesn’t attract mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are drawn to carbon dioxide, heat and moisture, which are all missing in the mosquito zapper. Ultraviolet light merely piques their curiosity. As they enter your yard after detecting the mosquito zapper, they will quickly change course and head straight for you.
Scientific studies have shown a mosquito zapper is not effective at killing biting insects. However, it is very effective at attracting and killing harmless and beneficial bugs. A study conducted over a period of one summer found a mosquito zapper killed close to 14,000 insects, but only 30 of those were mosquitoes.
Not only is a mosquito zapper ineffective at controlling mosquitoes, it can actually cause harm to both the environment and those humans it claims to protect.
Non-biting insects have proven to beneficial to the environment. From pollination to a food source of animals and birds, non-biting insects, those that a mosquito zapper kills, are important to the earth.
Another major drawback of the mosquito zapper is called scatter. As insects explode from the electricity of the mosquito zapper, they spread a mist. The mist caused by a mosquito zapper contains insect parts plus bacteria and viruses. Research has shown the mist surrounding the mosquito zapper can reach up to 7 feet. Inhaling or consuming this mist can be dangerous. The FDA advises a mosquito zapper should not be placed near food preparation areas for this reason. (Mosquito Facts)
Mosquito Zapper Alternatives
The mosquito zapper simply does not kill mosquitoes. However, there are solutions available today that do exactly what the mosquito zapper claims it can do… kills mosquitoes, interrupts their breeding cycle, and ultimately controls their population.
The best mosquito zapper alternative is the mosquito trap. The most effective mosquito traps emit a precise and steady stream of carbon dioxide, heat and moisture. While the mosquito zapper can’t attract mosquitoes, the trap is highly successful at luring these biting insects.
Once they reach the trap, they are
vacuumed into the device and captured into a net where they dehydrate and die. Whereas the mosquito zapper unsafely explodes bugs, sending parts, along with bacteria and viruses, flying into the air, the mosquito trap contains the insects within.
Since a mosquito zapper doesn’t actually kill mosquitoes, it can’t have any affect on the mosquito population. A mosquito trap, on the other hand, kills mosquitoes in large quantities, affects their breeding cycle, which can drastically reduce the population.
To get the most out of a mosquito trap, it should be placed properly. Close to mosquito breeding spots and far away from people areas, the mosquito trap will effectively lure and kill mosquitoes, accomplishing exactly what the mosquito zapper cannot. (Trap Placement)
Works Cited
Mosquito Control. 28 January 2011
Bug Zapper. 16 February 2011
Mosquito Facts. University of Florida News.
Trap Placement. Mosquito Magnet
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