Protection from insects
There is hardly anything more off-putting during a delicious meal than a huge fly sitting on the plate. A truly disgusting sight and more importantly a danger to your health, because the insect transmits diseases. The processing, storage and sale of foodstuffs is regulated by strict laws and guidelines to ensure safety and hygiene. Production facilities must be kept clean to fight pests.
Mosquito spray, cling film, scented candles and many more – When it comes to keeping away insects, creativity knows no limits. Unfortunately, these remedies have little to know effect in professional environments. Electric traps and flykillers with a UV lamp are have significantly more efficiency. They destroy without harmful chemicals and cover areas with up to 850m2 size.
Insect traps with UV lamps
One of the most effective methods against flies and mosquitos is the use of electric UV flykillers. This type of insect protection is as simple as it is ingenious. It exploids the natural weakness of insects and uses it agains them. Ultraviolet light as it is used for UV insect traps has an irresistable effect on ost insects. Especially UV light in the spectrum of about 365 nanometres is attractive to mosquitos, wasps and the likes. Like it is commonly known from moths that swarm in groups around street lights at night, the insects fly towards the source of lighting. When using an insect protection this behaviour proves to be their undoing when the trap works with ultraviolet light.
Most frequently asked questions about UV tubes:
- What are shatter-proof UV tubes?
Shatter-proof or break-proof lamps simply do not shatter into a thousand pieces in case of an accident. Instead, they everything stays in order without damage. This is important for various areas in food manufacturing where tiny splinters of glass can make the whole production unusable.
- How often do I have to replace the lamps?
Generally, manufacturers state the service life of their UV tubes in hours. A rule of thumb is to replace the tubes after about a year, though this can vary depending on how frequently the appliance is used. Start every season with a new tube to ensure highest efficiency.
- Which types of UV insect traps are available?
Three technologies keep their promise and actually produce relief by fighting off pests permanently. In this context it is not important if you need the device for your home, in the food industry or in commercial areas. Forget the annoying buzzing and mean stings. Electric insect traps are available in different designs, you can choose from UV flykillers with an electric grid, glueboard or fan. Electric killing grids are a better choice for areas without customer traffic, for example in industrial areas and storage facilities. Models with an adhesive glueboard are great for kitchens, and more decorative options are available for restaurants, bars, hotels and domestic dining rooms. All versions are very efficient, certain appliances can cover spaces with up to 850m2 size. Traps with a fan are gentle alternative to flykillers. The fan sucks in the insects that have been attracted by the UV lamp and transport the insects into a collection tank. The insects stay alive and can be released to the wild at the end of the day, for example benevolent bees that can continue pollinating. In the summer these particular devices have two positive effects: On one hand they keep you safe from mosquitos and annoying insects, on top of that they provide a cool breeze.
- Which height and position are best for mounting?
In order to prevent natural daylight from interfering with the emitted UV light, try to find the maximum possible distance to windows, doors and artificial sources of light. Ideally, the appliance is mounted at a 90° angle to the other light source. Warm air (heater) and airstream reduces efficiency of the traps. Depending on the model the unit is simply placed on the counter or is suitable for suspension from the ceiling. Experience has proven that a measurement of 2 metres from the ground is an ideal height. Areas measuring more than 850m2 require several flykillers to cover the entire space.
Information about beneficial insects
UV light has an effect on a variety of insects, including useful species like bees, bumblebees and butterflies. Some of these animals are severely endangered. In order to preserve their existence any kind of non-selective appliances with UV light shall not be used outdoors. Keep in mind that humans and the environment rely on pollination by flying insects.
Electric killing grids – The original flykillers
The British were the first to come up with the idea to use ultraviolet light against the troublemakers in house and garden. In 1962 the first UV insect bug zapper went on sale. This trap, of course, was less well-engineered than appliances nowadays. It worked with a charged, thin metal grid that was mounted in front of the light source, forcing the insects to pass by the grille before they could reach the alluring UV light, killing them in the process with an electric shock.
Today, there are still insect traps with UV light that operate with the original method. However, technology today is much more advanced so that the devices can work more efficiently than they did in the early 1960s. Those who are looking for such a UV insect trap should make sure the device features a collecting tank at the bottom to catch the debris. Not only does this make cleaning much easier but also contributes to the safety of the device. Without a catch tank a dead insect could be caught in the electronics and cause a short circuit.
Modernised appliances – UV lamp and adhesive
New methods for catching insects with ultraviolet light and keep them away from humans are not that ruthless anymore. Special double-side adhesive tape is stuck on or round the UV tubes. Once the attracted insect attracted sits down it will simply stick to the glueboard and die there. In order to increase efficiency of these devices even more it is possible to use a reflecting housing. The reinforced lamp will seem even more appealing to the pests. Artificial pheromones are another option of increasing the catch rate.
- Replacing glueboards
If the foil has finished its purpose it is simply peeled off and replaced with a new one. It is important to only use the special tape that has been designed for this specific appliance. As the adhesive surface loses its adhesive force due to dust, fine particles in the air and dry air the glueboards are replaced about every 4 weeks. If the catch is significantly higher, the foil needs to be exchanged sooner. - What are GLUPAC® glueboards?
These high-quality feature glue impregnated with pheromones for an improved catch.
Using fans for protection from insects
A third form of insect traps working with UV light are devices equipped with a fan. The traps look similar to a simple desk fan, only on the outside of the actual fan there is a round UV light. If an insect now comes close to the light it is pulled inside by the airflow of the fan. Even large insects are pulled into the trap. A kind of fly screen on the back of the device makes sure the animal is transported into a catch tank. Users now have the choice between releasing the insects into the wild to support endangered animals like bees or to let them dehydrate inside the tank.
High-performance insect live traps for farming
Unfortunately, flies and mosquitos are always found wherever cattle is housed. They attack the eyes and dugs of the animals, as well as transmit disease and germs. They are also an immense stress factor both for the animals and the farmers, disturbing the milking process or feeding at the troughs.
Chemical insecticide should be avoided whenever it comes to livestock or plant breeding. The particles of the insecticides easily make their way to the animals, plants and later on the produce. Electric insect traps are a highly effective alternative. Models with UV lights guarantee outstanding catch rates, they either fly right into the electric killing grid or sucked into a collecting back by a fan’s airflow.
Summary
In the food processing industry curious insects like fruit flies, mayflies, house flies or even wasps in the summer are attracted by the electric appliances. The animals transmit diseases and must be kept away from the kitchen, restaurant and storage room at all costs. In enclosed rooms without any windows UV insect killers are the best choice. The UVA lamp attracts insects and leads them into a trap where they meet their fate. The device either works with a glueboard or electric killing grid. Models with a glueboard are a better option for culinary establishments, because they are available in a variety of discreet designs and are easily mistaken for decorative elements in public spaces. Opt for large UV lamps with electric grid in storage and production facilities without customer traffic. The last method of protecting yourself from insects features a small fan that transports insects into a catch tank. The last version is ideal for collecting beneficial insects that can be released into the wild. Not all insects are harmful and actually make a considerable contribution to the ecological balance by pollinating flowers.
Banish them instead of killing pests: More tips about precautionary actions to keep away insects are available in our blog.
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