Every evening, a mass assassin stalks the darkness of America’s suburbs. An eerie blue glow lures hapless victims from their properties. The doomed souls, mesmerized by the sunshine, throng to their deaths in sizzling blasts of electricity. I’m speaking in regards to the bug zapper. Many individuals use the machine to rid themselves of mosquitoes and Zap Zone Defender Testimonial different pests. "Kill flies, mosquitoes, gnats, and wasps," touts Black and Decker. Flowtron will assist eliminate flying pests over as much as "2 acres" for simply $315. Another advertises itself as an "eco-friendly" way to "instantly kill" mosquitoes. The issue? None of these claims are true, scientists say. In reality, bug zappers make it extra likely you’ll be bitten by mosquitoes whereas sitting in your backyard. "When it comes to mosquitoes, bug zappers don’t work," says James Fordyce, an entomologist on the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Bug zappers are distinctive killers of bugs - simply not those that chew you. Among the thousands of insects these gadgets electrocute every night time, virtually all are harmless.

One examine estimated even a fraction of the bug zappers sold in the United States kill more than 70 billion insects annually - with no discernible impression on mosquitoes or different biting insects. This pointless slaughter of local insect populations could also be hastening the decline of species, the insect apocalypse. I talked to specialists about why bug zappers are a very bad idea to eliminate mosquitoes - and what works as a substitute. Bug zappers purport to work by attracting mosquitoes, Zap Zone Defender usually using a lightbulb that emits ultraviolet light, or typically carbon dioxide or chemical bait. Yet studies present just about no mosquitoes or other biting insects ever enter a zapper. In 1997, the University of Florida’s medical entomological laboratory tallied the dying toll from one bug zapper over a single night: Zap Zone Defender Testimonial 10,000 insects. Just eight were mosquitoes. Similar studies reflected these findings. Around the identical time, researchers on the University of Delaware used a bug zapper to trap 13,789 insects over a summer.

Only 31 - 0.22 percent - had been biting insects reminiscent of mosquitoes and gnats. What did it kill? Beneficial bugs, mostly. Roughly half the victims - 6,670 insects - have been harmless aquatic species from nearby rivers and streams, fish meals in the aquatic meals chain. Many of the others have been parasitic wasps and beetles that naturally prey on mosquitoes. Mosquitoes should not fooled by zappers because, along with different bloodsucking insects, they have advanced to residence in on animals’ exhaled carbon dioxide, not ultraviolet light, scientists say. Even if mosquitoes are drawn in by a bug zapper, they may instantly redirect their consideration to their favorite foods: Zap Zone Defender warmblooded mammals, especially humans. And Colorado State University’s extension service has reached the same conclusion: "No managed scientific examine has proven that these units cut back mosquito biting charges outdoors," it states on its web site. None responded with material supporting their claims after multiple inquiries.

Black and Decker referred all inquiries to a contract producer, which additionally didn't reply. These claims not only mislead buyers by ignoring scientific evidence, but they might create a false sense of safety for individuals who use these devices to protect against mosquito-borne diseases within the United States, Fordyce stated. "If one would like to keep away from being bit, a repellent is the answer," he says. "Even if zappers labored … The FTC, while not commenting on the companies’ marketing statements, noted that it had investigated deceptive statements and safety points in the past issuing warning letters and filing cases against manufacturers of different kinds of pest management, reminiscent of ultrasonic units. FTC officials beneficial the public submit any complaints through their web site. What does repel mosquitoes? Bug zappers are just considered one of many suspect merchandise promising to do away with biting insects: ultrasonic gadgets, propane-fired CO2 traps, and pesticide misters are amongst these that do not work, or do more hurt than good, in response to Texas A&M.

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Pub: 14 Aug 2025 21:39 UTC

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