HowStuffWorks "How Bug Zappers Work"

[http://www.howstuffworks.com/] SUBSCRIBE Adventure Animals Auto Culture Entertainment Health Home & Garden Lifestyle Money Science Tech Video Shows Quizzes Appliances Green Living Home Decor Community Living Home Improvement Lawn & Garden Stain Removal Real Estate Home / Home & Garden / Home Improvement / Outdoor Living How Bug Zappers Work by Craig Freudenrich, Ph.D. Page 1 Introduction to How Bug Zappers Work 2 Bug Zapper Controversies 3 Lots More Information The parts of a bug zapper Up Next How Mosquito Magnets Work How Solar Yard Lights Work While you have fun outdoors, many insects get to enjoy a good meal. Either they're eating your food or they're eating you. To clear your yard of these insects, you can try a variety of devices, ranging from simple Citronella candles to elaborate traps to pesticides (such as Dursban ) to electronic bug zappers. A bug zapper , more formally known as an electronic insect-control system or electrical-discharge insect-control system , lures bugs into it and kills them with electricity . In this article, we will examine the parts of a bug zapper, learn how this device works and discuss the controversies surrounding its use. We'll also look at some other bug-control devices that may make your time outdoors more pleasant. Inside a Bug Zapper The first bug zapper was patented in 1934 by William F. Folmer and Harrison L. Chapin (U.S. patent 1,962,439). Although there have been many improvements, mostly in the areas of safety and lures, the basic design of the bug zapper has remained the same. Bug zappers are incredibly simple. The basic parts of the bug zapper are: Housing - Exterior casing that holds the parts The housing is usually made of plastic or electrically grounded metal and may be shaped liked a lantern , a cylinder or a big rectangular cube. The housing also may have a grid design to prevent children and animals from touching the electrified grids inside the device. Light bulb (s) - Fluorescent light that attracts insects, usually mercury, neon or ultraviolet (black light) Wire grids or screens - Wire meshes (usually two) that surround the light bulb and are electrified to kill insects Transformer - Device that electrifies the wire mesh, changing the 120-volt (V) electrical-line voltage to 2,000 V or more ­The increased voltage supplied by the transformer , at least 2,000 V, is applied across the two wire-mesh grids. These grids are separated by a tiny gap, about the size of a typical insect (a couple of millimeters). The light inside the wire-mesh network lures the insects to the device (many insects see ultraviolet light better than visible light, and are more attracted to it, because the flower patterns that attract insects are revealed in ultraviolet light). As the bug flies toward the light, it penetrates the space between the wire-mesh grids and completes the electric circuit. High-v­oltage electric current flows through the insect and vaporizes it. You often hear a loud "ZZZZ" sound when this happens. Bug zappers can lure and kill more than 10,000 insects in a single evening. By design, bug zappers do not discriminate between types of insects, but because of their luring strategy, they tend kill those insects that are most attracted to ultraviolet light. Mosquitoes , unfortunately, are not attracted to ultraviolet light. We'll look at bug zapper controversies and other bug zapping methods in the next section.­ ­ Print Cite This! Close Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks article: Freudenrich, Ph.D., Craig. "How Bug Zappers Work" 11 July 2001. HowStuffWorks.com. 17 August 2014. Citation & Date Feedback Page 1 Introduction to How Bug Zappers Work 2 Bug Zapper Controversies 3 Lots More Information More To Explore More Great Links Top 10 Wacky Inventions for the Home 10 Home Office Storage Solutions Name the Price: Mansions Dollars and Sense: House Buying Quiz Home Construction Pictures Watch home & garden videos >> You Might Also Like Plane A plane is a handy wood shaving tool that should be used carefully. Learn tips on using and maintaining planes only at HowStuffWorks. The Ultimate Hardwood Floors Quiz Hardwood flooring has become a very popular choice for homes and businesses. Take this quiz and find out how much you know about hardwood floor choices. 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