Turns out, bug zappers – electric insect traps that use ultraviolet light to attract flying insects - are not the solution. In fact, very few biting insects, including pesky mosquitoes, end up being caught. They do kill lots of insects, unfortunately it’s mostly harmless and beneficial insects that are attracted to these traps.
A University of Delaware study found that out of 13,789 insects that were trapped in a suburban setting over a summer, only 31 were biting insects - that’s only 0.22 per cent! Biting insects include female mosquitoes (as males don’t bite!) and gnats.
48.4 per cent of the insects that were caught were non-biting aquatic insects, insects that make up an important part of the aquatic food chain. 13.5 per cent of the caught insects were parasites and predators – those that help control insect pest populations. Authors from the study extrapolated the data and calculated that if 4 million bug zappers, which is equivalent to four years worth of sales, were used for 40 nights each summer, 71 billion nontarget insects would be killed each year. And to top it off, there wouldn’t be any difference in the number of mosquitoes harassing you on your patio.
Many biting insects, such as mosquitoes, are attracted to the carbon dioxide that we exhale. This is largely why bug zappers don’t work. Mosquitoes prefer carbon dioxide as opposed to UV light. Some bug zappers have an octenol packet which is said to mimic human breath. However, some report that these are also largely ineffective and apparently do not improve the overall effectiveness of the product.
The number and diversity of insects is declining around the world. Insects are incredibly important. Many are important pollinators, they are decomposers, some help control pests, and they are an important food source for reptiles, amphibians, birds and we can’t forget about bats and other mammals. If mosquitoes are keeping you from enjoying your patio, you could try:
- Citronella candles and torches
- There are many essential oils that claim to keep mosquitoes at bay including:
- Peppermint
- Lavender
- Eucalyptus
- Lemon
- Geranium
- Use a fan to keep the air circulating
- Marigolds, Lavender, Lemon Balm, and Basil are a few plants that are said to repel mosquitoes
- Mosquito Smokers or Bug Away – they go by various names, but they burn egg cartons to create a bit of smoke that mosquitoes really seem to dislike.
