Bug zappers are devices that use ultraviolet light to attract and electrocute flying insects. While they are effective at killing many types of bugs, they do not work well on fleas. Here’s a closer look at whether bug zappers can help control flea infestations.
How do bug zappers work?
Bug zappers use ultraviolet light to attract insects. Bugs are drawn to the UV rays, which they mistake for moonlight. As insects approach the zapper, they encounter an electrified grid. When bugs make contact with the grid, they are electrocuted by the high voltage.
The UV light attracts phototactic insects, meaning bugs that navigate by light. Mosquitos, moths, beetles, flies, and other flying insects use light cues to orient themselves and find food sources. By mimicking light conditions that appeal to them, bug zappers lure in a variety of insects.
Are fleas attracted to UV light?
Fleas are not strongly phototactic. This means they do not rely heavily on light cues for navigation or finding hosts to bite. Instead, fleas locate hosts by detecting body heat, vibration, humidity, and carbon dioxide signals. They are well adapted to living in dark, obscured environments like pet bedding, carpets, and furniture cracks.
While some fleas may coincidentally blunder into a bug zapper, the UV light itself is not an effective lure. Fleas’ eyes are sensitive mainly to green, yellow, and orange light. They do not strongly perceive light in the UV spectrum.
Can bug zappers control flea populations?
Bug zappers are not an effective method for killing or controlling fleas. At best, they may only kill a tiny fraction of the flea population in an area. Here are some additional reasons bug zappers don’t work well against fleas:
- Fleas move by jumping, not flying. Bug zappers only kill insects that come into contact with the electrified grid.
- Fleas dwell deep in carpets, furniture, pet bedding, etc. Bug zappers only kill insects out in the open.
- Fleas breed rapidly. A few fleas can quickly multiply into an infestation, even if some are killed off.
- Bug zappers do not kill flea eggs and larvae. UV light has no effect on immature flea life stages.
For these reasons, flea populations can thrive even in the presence of a bug zapper. More effective control methods, such as premise flea sprays and topical/oral flea medications for pets, are needed to tackle flea infestations.
Are there any risks to using a bug zapper?
Bug zappers generally do not pose risks to humans or pets when used properly. However, there are a few potential downsides:
- They will kill beneficial insects like bees and dragonflies along with biting bugs.
- Insects may drop from the zapper onto surfaces below before they are completely electrocuted.
- Zappers can attract more bugs into an area than they actually kill.
- The light from the zapper may be disruptive if placed too close to homes.
Conclusion
Bug zappers can help control mosquitos and other flying insects around your home. However, they are ineffective solutions for flea problems. Fleas are not attracted to the UV light that lures other bugs in. And even if some fleas blunder into the zapper, it will not make a dent in an established infestation. Stick to proven flea control methods like thorough premise spraying and on-pet flea medicine rather than relying on bug zappers.