Buzz
Bug zappers use intense UV light to attract and kill a wide range of insects, including important pollinators, which can have negative effects on the environment. Flickr (CC BY 2.0)Main Points to Remember
- Bug zappers do little to control mosquito numbers and can harm beneficial species.
- They mainly draw and destroy harmless insects, disturbing ecosystems and possibly causing an increase in mosquitoes by removing their natural predators.
- Other methods like mosquito traps or repellents are more effective and eco-friendly.
There are countless methods for catching a fly. Those of us who grew up in the '80s remember the colorful bags placed on lawns in summer, designed to attract and trap bugs in large numbers. Of course, sprays, swatters, or even a pair of chopsticks (if you're feeling adventurous) can work too.
However, it turns out that one of the most common methods for keeping bugs at bay might actually do more harm than good.
We're talking about bug zappers. These devices annihilate flies and other insects by using UV light, which draws in flying creatures and electrocuting anything that comes near.
According to Jonathan Day, an associate professor of entomology at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, there are several reasons why backyard enthusiasts should reconsider using bug zappers.
Back in 1997, Day estimated that these devices kill 71 billion non-target insects annually in the U.S. alone, many of which are beneficial beetles, moths, ants, midges, and parasitic wasps that control other pests. Numerous other studies from the same period, including one from the University of Delaware, found similar findings. With the global decline in insect populations, indiscriminate bug zapping is bad for the environment.
In an interview from August 2019, Day emphasized that the greatest danger posed by zappers is what he refers to as 'non-target impact.' The UV lights used by these devices to attract mosquitoes also draw in a variety of other insects. This includes wasps and others that play an important role in controlling pests. Many of these are beneficial beetles, moths, ants, midges, and parasitic wasps that keep other insects in check. 'Mosquitoes are just a small part of the population drawn to bug zappers,' Day explains.
When an insect is zapped, the devices send out not only bug particles but also bacteria that could carry viruses, according to a 2000 study by researchers at Kansas State University. The bacteria that insects pick up on their bodies or in their digestive systems don’t get electrocuted. Instead, they survive on the tiny particles of bug body parts that fly through the air when an insect is killed. And of course, whatever flies through the air has to land somewhere.
There are several reasons to stop using zapping devices, according to Day. The potential health risk of having a bug fried onto your meal, though unappetizing, ranks low on the list of concerns.
'I consider that a very minor issue with bug zapper use,' Day states. 'Such an event would be quite rare. It would require the bug zapper to be positioned directly over your picnic table and for an infected fly to arrive at the same time as your sandwich. It’s probably much riskier to have a fly walk across your food.'
The good news is that there are several other ways for outdoor enthusiasts to fight mosquitoes. Day suggests wearing athletic clothing that insects can't bite through, applying a good repellent, and turning on a fan.
"Mosquitoes aren't strong fliers. A fan is by far the best solution."
Next time you host a barbecue, you might want to rethink your approach to keeping bugs away. As the saying goes, there's wisdom in using honey.
This article was updated with insights from Jonathan Day.
A 2018 study from the University of York in England uncovered that moths may play a previously overlooked role in aiding the work of bees and other pollinators. Plants that can be pollinated by both moths and bees might have a better chance of survival in the evolutionary race.
