ABSTRACT

BUG ZAPPER HISTORY

AND FACTS

Insect light traps have been used extensively since the middle of the last century for research and surveillance in disease prevention, and control of indoor and outdoor insects in homes, and agricultural and industrial operations. Over the years, the type of light sources has varied from candles and incandescent light bulbs to fluorescent lamps. The most common method for arresting/eliminating insects which are attracted has been the use of electrocuting grids. Grids are energized by 2,500-4,500 V (low current of 8 - 10 mA), and these traps, commonly referred to as bug zappers, produce the characteristic crackling, zapping and sputtering sounds as the insects are killed in the electrocuting grid.

The use of bug zappers around the home environment has been mainly for controlling bloodsucking and annoying insects (Dipterans), especially mosquitoes and gnats, yet it has been shown that these devices are ineffective in reducing local pest insects (Surgeoner & Helson 1977). In fact, it is now known that the probability of being bitten by mosquitoes increases in the vicinity of these traps (Nasci et al. 1983). Recently, it has been demonstrated that the proportion of biting insects killed by bug zappers in home backyards is minute (0.22%), and that at least 13% of the non-target insects killed are insect predators and parasites (Frick & Tallamy 1996).

PRODUCTION OF AIRBORNE PARTICLES BY BUG ZAPPERS

A major objection to the operation of bug zappers in premises where food is handled is the production of insect parts as insects are disintegrated by the high voltage (Pickens 1989). Ananth et al. (1992) demonstrated that the operation of electrocuting insect traps in killing house flies significantly increased the number of airborne (respirable) particles; however, they did not identify the source of these particles. Broce (1993) investigated the production of airborne particles from flies and moths being killed by bug zappers by collecting these particles on microporous filters. Filters with the collected particles were then observed under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Although numerous airborne insect particles, such as hairs and scales, were collected when the insects were released in the test rooms while the traps were off, the number of scale fragments significantly increased when the traps were used.

More recently, Tesch and Goodman (1995) showed that microbes from the naturally occurring fauna of house flies killed by bug zappers can be disseminated in large pieces of insect parts (which settle within 45 min.) and in aerosolized (truly airborne) particles.

RESULTS of our studies AND CONCLUSIONS

Summary of Results

Conclusions

Our studies show that when Bug Zappers kill insects they stimulate the release of large numbers of bacteria or viruses which may be on the insect surface. Further the zappers produce insect parts such as scales, hairs, and insect body parts. In aggregate, the results show that bug zappers not only pose an immediate threat because of the release of bacteria and viruses, but they also release insect particles which are potential allergens and/ or cause various respiratory conditions such as asthma, rhinitis, and conjunctivitis.

REFERENCES CITED

• Ananth, GP, DC Bronson and JK Brown. 1992. Generation of airborne fly body particles by four electrocution fly traps and an electronic fly trap. Inter. J. Environ Health Res. 2:106-113.
• Broce, AB. 1993. Electrocuting and electronic insect traps: Trapping efficiency and production of airborne particles. Inter. J. Environ Health Res. 3:47-58.
• Broce, AB, and JE Urban. 1998. Potential Microbial Health Hazards Associated with Operation of Bug Zappers. Abstracts of the Ann. Meeting of the Am. Soc. for Microbiol., Q-252.
• Frick, TB and DW Tallamy. 1996. Density and diversity of nontarget insects killed by suburban electric insect traps. Ent. News. 107:77-82.
• Nasci, RS, CW. Harris and CK Porter. 1983. Failure of an insect electrocuting device to reduce mosquito biting. Mosquito News. 43:180-184.
• Pickens, LG. 1989. Factors affecting the distance of scatter of house flies (Ditera: Muscidae) from electronic traps.
  J. Econ. Entomol. 82:149-151.
• Surgeoner, GA and BV Helson. 1977. A field evaluation of electrocutors for mosquito control in Southern Ontario. Proc. Entomol. Soc. Ontario. 108:53-58.
• Tesch, MJ and WG Goodman. 1995. Dissemination of microbial contaminants from house flies electrocuted by five insect light traps. Inter. J. Environ Health Res. 5:303-309.
• Urban J. and A Broce. 1998. Flies and their bacterial loads in Greyhound dog kennels in Kansas. Current Microbiol. 36:164-170.