Insect electrocution light traps, also known as "bug zappers," claim they can relieve the annoyance of biting mosquitoes in Atlanta. Although bug zappers may seem like a tempting solution to remedy mosquito bites during peak mosquito season, there are a number of compelling reasons to avoid going the bug electrocution route.
Bug Zappers
The idea of electrocuting insects came about in 1911 when Popular Mechanics magazine introduced the concept. Still, most thought it was too expensive to undertake at the time. In 1932, the first patented electric fly zapper was recorded by U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Two years later, a University of California professor of parasitology introduced the bug zapper that would be the basis for all future zappers.
The Problem with Zappers
There are some of the major flaws associated with bug zappers that you should know about.
- They don’t work. Bug zappers kill tons of beneficial insects while missing most of the biting insects that pest us. Bug zappers will not control mosquitoes or other biting insects such as horseflies, dog flies, or deer flies.
- They simply do not work as advertised. In fact, bug zappers actually make things worse by attracting more mosquitoes into your yard, and they end up killing thousands of beneficial insects that don’t bother people.
- Be wary of zappers that market carbon dioxide as an attractant, too. Mosquitoes are drawn to carbon dioxide but studies show they prefer the natural form that is emitted from humans versus artificial sources.
- Bug viruses and bacteria travel long distances upon electrocution. In other words, microscopic bug guts are sprayed onto people sitting around the bug zapper and into nearby food.
You Don’t Have to Avoid Tuxedo Mosquito
The onset of summer brings a plethora of activities, including backyard cookouts. But also with summer comes an onslaught of pests such as mosquitoes. Getting a bug zapper might seem like a convenient and cost-efficient solution, but the fact is their effectiveness has been widely doubted and studies have shown they are very poor at killing mosquito females. Fortunately, Tuxedo Mosquito offers mosquito treatment options in Atlanta that have been proven to work. Contact us to find out which method will work best for you.