The long-awaited summer warmth in nature is often overshadowed by hordes of mosquitoes. It’s a pleasant evening and I’d like to spend it in a gazebo or on a bench, but the ubiquitous mosquitoes simply don’t allow me to enjoy the weather. You can’t stock up on sprays and repellents for the whole season, but a mosquito lamp for the street can be an excellent salvation.
UV lamps: an unquenchable destructive flame
Ultraviolet insect killer is still quite popular today.
This device attracts its “victims” with a specific alluring light from the lamp built into it. Insects literally flock to the light, which is surrounded by a special mesh coated with a sticky compound or connected to high voltage. In a word, guests will no longer be able to get out of such a bait. However, it turns out to be absolutely useless in the fight against crawling individuals who, on the contrary, flee from the light. This is the main disadvantage of all lamp baits.
But these devices have much more advantages:
You can find such a lamp in a hardware store or buy it online, but the cost will depend on the manufacturer. One of the most affordable in the price category -
Insect killer HILTON
This supplier has a large assortment of lamp devices, the cheapest of which can be purchased for 400 rubles. A similar pattern allows you to live without mosquitoes in a small room.
But to neutralize large premises or outdoor areas, you need to purchase a more expensive device, 1,500 rubles.
Based on this, the number of built-in lamps is determined - from 1 to 4, the more there are, the more powerful the device and it spreads over a larger area.
The maximum cost of the most effective device varies around 4,000 rubles.
Clatronic shredder
A well-known brand is also the German Clatronic with its only model against flying insects indoors, designed for an area of up to 20 square meters.
It costs about 700 rubles.
Lantern Energy
A similar device is the Energy flashlight with a built-in anti-mosquito grille weighing only 0.2 kg.
Cost about 500 rubles.
Barguzin
The domestic Barguzin is not inferior to them. Devices from this manufacturer allow you to protect yourself from flying insects over large areas - 120-300 square meters. There are a total of 4 models in this line; they can be used indoors and outdoors.
Price from 3.5 to 4 thousand rubles.
Also the best insect killers on the modern market for similar products
Flying insect killer SWISSINNO SWI-20
Swissinno - SWI-20 from a Swiss company, is an insecticidal device that destroys all winged pests without exception over an area of up to 200 square meters.
The principle of operation of the exterminator is very simple: a special range of ultraviolet light attracts insects to the trap. There they fall on a metal mesh, which is energized, and die instantly. Lethal to insects, SWISSINNO SWI-20 is safe for people and animals
Tips for use:
- Hang the shredder at a height where children or pets cannot reach it.
- Clean the insect tray once a week
The cost of the shredder is 6150 rubles.
Flying insect killer MO-EL Cri-Cri
The MO-El Cri-Cri 304 flying insect exterminator can be used both outdoors and indoors. It is effective against any concentrations of flies, mosquitoes and midges. The weight of both models is 1 kilogram.
Price – 3800 rubles.
Reviews
As with most outdoor mosquito control devices, the lamps have mixed reviews. This is understandable - it is impossible to destroy all mosquitoes, midges and flies. But most of them are due to incorrect usage:
A pleasant evening outside is possible without chemical repellents. The lamps do not buzz, do not emit unpleasant odors, and work well as night lights. Lamps are often found in hotel parks and recreation areas, and in a country house or dacha, these devices will not only get rid of mosquitoes, but will also add coziness to the area.
The simplest traps
Traps have the simplest principles for attracting and catching insects. Floor trap insect killer - all crawling pests and parasites, for example, ants, fleas and bedbugs, cockroaches will definitely fall for the bait. This device is economical because it does not consume energy, is efficient and easy to use. For example, an eco-friendly trap
Fly Trap from Swissinno
This trap with natural bait, without pesticides, can be used several times in a row. It is characterized by a long shelf life, high efficiency - the action is enough for 100 square meters, it attracts flies of all types.
Cost from 500 rubles, weighs only 30 grams.
Sticky hanging tape - designed for flying insects, such as moths, flies, mosquitoes, etc. Also not an expensive option, but does not cope well with nocturnal representatives.
Which lamp should I buy?
We offer an overview of some brands of mosquito and mosquito repellent lamps.
"Terminator"
Terminator lamps are available in several versions. Some of them operate on mains power, while others can operate on batteries. All models of Terminator devices are marked with Roman numerals from I to V.
Terminator I lamp
Description of individual models:
- Terminator I is the very first model. This lamp operates on mains power and has the lowest cost, which is 600-700 rubles. The impact area is about 30 square meters.
- “Terminator II” also operates from the mains, but has a larger impact area (up to 60 square meters). Price – 1000 rubles. But there is a minus: lack of protection from water. So placing the device in damp places is extremely dangerous.
- "Terminator III". This lamp has a more pleasant and stylish design and can work not only from the mains, but also from built-in batteries, which are quite powerful (they can work for 24 hours). Cost: about 1300 rubles.
- “Terminator IV” is an improved model that runs on both batteries and mains power, and also has a reliable case that will protect it from moisture. Such a lamp can be placed in open areas; it can affect an area of up to 60 square meters for more than a day on a full charge. Price: about 1600-1700 rubles.
- "Terminator V" is a powerful device with more significant ultraviolet radiation, attracting almost all flying insects. But this model does not have a visor, so it is better not to leave it in the open air. Cost: about 3-4 thousand.
"MK"
Devices of the MK brand are produced in several models, which differ in their characteristics and some parameters. Almost all devices run on solar batteries, so there will be no need to replace them. In addition, there is the ability to connect to the network, which makes use even more convenient and efficient.
Hanging lamps MK-009
To prepare the device for operation, you should first install it in any convenient place, for example, place it on a horizontal surface or hang it using a metal ring handle. Next you need to charge the lamp well. If the charge is the first, then its duration should be a full day. Then select the appropriate mode (normal lighting or insect control). No settings needed.
At night, the blue LEDs automatically light up. To turn off the lamp, you need to move the switch lever to the zero position (it is usually located in the middle).
"Scat"
The Skat device is powered by solar panels and has two types of built-in LEDs: white and ultraviolet. The former do not have any effect on insects and serve as street lighting. But the latter attract flying insects, which, having flown up to the device, then come into contact with the grille and receive an electric shock. Switching is done manually. It is also worth noting that the design has a photo relay, which allows automatic transition during daylight hours from the backlight mode.
Device Skat
OUR READERS RECOMMEND!
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The dangers and effectiveness of ultraviolet radiation
Behind these plates there are LEDs that should emit ultraviolet light with a certain wavelength of 350-360 nm, thereby attracting mosquitoes.
Many “experts” are afraid that such ultraviolet radiation is harmful to vision and will burn your eyes. This means that such lamps are traps and are harmful not only to insects, but also to humans.
But this statement is true only for powerful quartz lamps. That is why glasses are worn under their radiation.
In these same light bulbs, there will be even less ultraviolet radiation than from solar radiation on a clear, fine day.
If it was a directed laser beam at a specific point in the room, and you were under its influence, then it would be a different matter.
And it turns out that these anti-mosquito lamps are absolutely harmless to health.
Although it must be admitted, there were attempts to introduce full-fledged laser guns, which would shoot down mosquitoes with their beams as they approached.
The well-known Bill Gates and his wife Melinda were involved in the project and draining their money.
The ultimate noble goal was to help African countries fight malaria.
But in the end, the project was expectedly canceled as unrealistic. As if at the very beginning of the journey it was not clear that the Chinese, with their cheap and no less effective options, would win.
Here is a video demonstrating their laser anti-mosquito gun. It’s fine for a beautiful movie, but for some reason it didn’t work as a real mass product for poor African users.
There is also an opinion in reviews and testimonials that in fact ultraviolet radiation does not attract insects at all, and simple bulbs with warm light are even more effective in this sense.
However, here is what Professor Yu.A. Zakhvatkin says about this. in his book “Course of General Entomology”.
As you can see, for a mosquito it still makes a difference what kind of light the light bulb emits. That is why they chose ultraviolet radiation for the manufacture of such devices.
Operating principle
The work of the flashlight is based on the influence of ultraviolet rays, which are completely safe for humans, but have an attractive effect on flying insects. As a result, mosquitoes, attracted by the light of the lantern, begin to fly towards it, and then they encounter the second phase of the lamp’s influence - the contact grid. The UV garden lamp against mosquitoes for the street is closed on all sides with a special mesh or grille, which is under low voltage. This current charge is quite enough to instantly kill a mosquito when it touches the net, but such a charge is not dangerous for humans. In addition, such lamps have a protective plastic casing on top that prevents contact.
Advantages:
- A garden lantern against mosquitoes is a very economical method of control. You don't need to spend money on various accessories (replacement plates, etc.). It consumes little electricity, and the solar-powered mosquito lamp is completely free to charge.
- The product is absolutely safe for people, small children and pets. It does not contain dangerous toxic chemicals.
- Mosquito killing lamps are very easy to use and do not require supervision. All you need to do is turn on the device, after which it will work on its own.
- Large range of action. Most lamps cover fairly large areas; they can be used not only outdoors, but also indoors.
Installation locations
For trap lamps to work effectively, you need to know how to place them correctly.
It is recommended to install them not in the center or end, but at the border of the room and open air. That is, not far from the door or window.
Then they will work much better, stopping a bunch of living creatures at the entrance. Some place them in street lamps, on paths.
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Thus, they try to contain the blood-sucking creatures as much as possible, even on the approaches to the house. However, the effectiveness of this method is questionable.
After all, street posts and bollards are intended for other purposes.
Although in several cities in North America, traps of this kind are also placed on the street, but for a slightly different purpose. There are even maps of their location with location reference.
Based on the number of insects caught in traps over a certain period of time, the percentage of the norm is calculated. And if it exceeds the permissible values, on a certain night cars begin to drive around the area and actively spray the poison.
Or they release a large number of pre-bred dragonflies in this area.
Self-production
Not everyone can afford high-quality flashlights from bloodsuckers like the Terminator. But no one wants to spend money on an electric lamp, which will have a minimum of benefit and a maximum of harm. In this case, there is only one option left - to make the lamp yourself. What you will need for this:
- Voltage source (1000 - 2000 volts).
- UV lamp (or other ultraviolet source).
- Net.
Important! It is worth taking a responsible approach to choosing an ultraviolet source. A glass lamp emitting UV rays will not work because
may break when heated. It is also worth abandoning the fluorescent lamp due to the fact that it will overheat and will not give the desired effect. The best option is ultraviolet LEDs.
A microcontroller is suitable as a voltage source. A device that operates by pressing a button will be more convenient. This can be done by installing a lithium battery inside the future electric lamp. When you press the button, the microcontroller turns on the LEDs. When designing a lamp, care should be taken to ensure that the voltage does not drop below 3 volts. If this happens, the LEDs will start flashing.
Adviсe. Instead of a microcontroller, almost any amplification transistors will do. The voltage-boosting transformer can be removed from the monitor board. Before using it, it must be immersed in a container of nail polish remover or acetone for several days. After this procedure, it can be easily disassembled and rewound. Each section winds 70 turns, for a total of 8x70=560 turns. After this, the transformer (without the core) is dipped into molten paraffin to increase its reliability. Any other core can be used.
Homemade device is also effective
The mesh consists of two parallel conductors wound on 4 posts. They are made like this: you need to cut a piece of acrylic so that, taking into account the cut, you can cut 4 racks of equal sizes. A drawing is taken and translated onto this piece. The piece has marks with equal steps.
The piece bends very strongly when heated. In case of overheating, it is recommended to cool it down.
Next, using a hacksaw, cut the marks in the acrylic so that a wire up to 0.5 mm can fit there. Next, this piece is cut into 4 equal parts - they are the racks. The strips must stand tightly so that during the winding of the mesh they form a stable structure. The wire that should be in the device must be straightened. The mesh can be purchased at the store, because... The factory one is more suitable.
When using, it is recommended to check how high the voltage is. To do this, bring a regular coin to the grid. If the voltage is high, a spark will appear and the device is able to protect against mosquitoes, but if not, then it is faulty and the error must be identified.
Important! It is strictly prohibited to touch the switched-on electric lamp. It may harm your health
There are many ways to protect yourself from mosquitoes. Chemicals, folk remedies, and electrical appliances help a person with this. It is in the interests of everyone not to harm their health when fighting annoying insects. To do this, you need to choose a mosquito repellent wisely and carefully follow the instructions.
Terms of use
Children should not have access to the device
Each electric lamp comes with instructions for use.
But do not forget about other precautions so that the design does not cause harm to health:
- A flashlight will not help against mosquitoes if it is installed incorrectly, and the bloodsuckers will begin to behave more aggressively.
- It is important to place lamps correctly and proportionally around the perimeter of the site. So that the UV rays intersect with each other. This will give more effect.
- Collect dead insects only when the lamp is turned off.
- It is prohibited to use electric lamps in rooms with high humidity and poor ventilation.
- The devices should be placed out of the reach of children.
Other interesting DIY mosquito control methods
Many years of practice have shown that a person with his own hands and with a minimum of available tools can invent any device that brings him great benefit. In the case of an electronic mosquito repellent device, using some knowledge based on electricity, you can build a mosquito trap lamp with your own hands that will work efficiently and properly.
To get rid of mosquitoes, you should use light and use air currents instead of electric shock. To do this, you will need any device capable of emitting light and a small fan, like those installed in system units to cool computer systems. If these two components are combined, you get an excellent mosquito repellent device. It can be hung on an open window.
