When it comes to commercial accounts, it pays to choose the right trap for the job.
With insect traps a mainstay in many commercial accounts, and a range of options available, it makes sense to review the factors you need to consider when choosing a suitable light trap for your customer.
Insect light traps (ILTs) use ultraviolet light to attract flying insects, with the wavelength emitted designed to be optimal to attract flying insects. Once attracted to the trap, there are two methods of killing the insects: either with an electrified killing grid and/or a glueboard. The environment in which the trap is to be located influences the choice of trap.
With electric ILTs, the insects are attracted by the UV light and are electrocuted when they fly into the electric grid. The insect usually ‘implodes’, with the fly carcass being retained in the catch tray for later hygienic disposal. However, bacteria carried by the fly can be expelled from the fly killer when the insect is electrocuted.
With this in mind, electric ILTs are not recommended for food preparation areas, kitchens or where people are eating. Similarly they are not recommended for medical areas or places where people with compromised health systems are present, such as doctors’ waiting rooms and aged care facilities.
In such circumstances, where hygiene is critical, glueboard ILTs are the preferred option. They also allow for easy identification of trapped insects.
With the use of traps in food management establishments a significant part of the market, it is not surprising that glueboard-based traps – such as the versatile Halo 30 with its variable light output and easy glueboard replacement – are the most popular products.
However, in dusty or humid environments the effectiveness of the glueboard may be diminished and the glueboard may need more regular replacement. In such locations or where there is high pest pressure, an electrified ILT may be the best option as they deliver the most effective killing performance.
However, before you can kill the insects, you need to lure them to the trap and it’s the amount of UV irradiance emitted from the device determines how attractive the trap is. This is a combination of the bulb itself (UV emissions, not wattage), the number of bulbs, the design or openness of the trap and its position in the room. For areas of high pest pressure or where rapid kill is required, a unit with a higher UV output is required. A unit such as the Exocutor is designed to maximise UV light output and, with its triangular killing grid, is a high performance unit.
Of course, aesthetics also come into play as well when traps are situated in areas where the public is in attendance. Discreet designs may well be preferred in such situations, but their effectiveness can be somewhat diminished due to the lower level of UV light emitted. A unit such as the Luralite Cento maximises performance in a stylish but discreet design, ideal for use in restaurants, bars, cafes and other front of house applications.
With a range of insect trap designs available, discuss your particular requirements with the team at Globe to ensure you make the right choice for your customer.
Back to pest control flies or more information on flies.
Kevin Parsons, National Operations Manager, Globe Pest Solutions