UV Bug Zappers: daytime effectiveness/safe installation

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Jazsaxman

51 posts

Master Geek

#10825 13-Dec-2006 22:39

Hey all, I have some banks of rabbit cages behind the garage and I am looking at getting a mains powered UV bug zapper to try and control the flies. I'd like to know if UV bulbs work during the day or is their strength not enough to compete against natural sunlight?

Also, I'd like to hang one up underneath a cage, sheltered from the elements, and run the power cord through the wall into the garage plugs. I'm thinking an RCD protector would be a minimum but is there anything else I could do for safety?

Cheers Steve

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grant_k

3539 posts

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#55425 13-Dec-2006 23:38

Hi Steve,

Using an RCD protector for a UV fly zapper should give sufficient electrical protection, but make sure you keep all plug/socket combinations under cover, or if they are exposed to rain, then wrap the connection with a plastic bag and tape both ends snugly around the cable.

During the daytime, your UV bug zapper won't do very much because the light source is not strong enough to compete with sunlight as you suspected.

Here is a far better alternative which works well on our farm:

http://www.gordys-flytrap-fitting.com/

It is unbelievable how many flies these will trap over just a few days. 15 litres per week (as claimed) is no exaggeration and that's one helluva lot of flies

.

There is one minor drawback: Don't stand downwind from the flytrap or it will be unpleasant

.

Cheers,
Grant.

Jazsaxman

51 posts

Master Geek

#55427 13-Dec-2006 23:45

Thanks Grant,

Yeah I have a Gordys plastic thingy already but coming from an 8 acre block to a section in town the difference in the pungency of the bucket is alot more noticable lol it just stinks far too much for this section (and the neighbours).

I'm off to Bunnings tomorrow to swap a crappy solar powered zapper for a mains one. Fingers crossed I will get some sort of result. If not I can always take it back I spose.

Cheers

Steve

grant_k

3539 posts

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#55428 13-Dec-2006 23:52

Jazsaxman: I'm off to Bunnings tomorrow to swap a crappy solar powered zapper for a mains one...

Yeah those solar-powered ones are a big disappointment aren't they...

Before replying to your post I went outside to check ours and found just one dead crane fly and a small moth inside it after 2 weeks of operation! A complete waste of time by the looks of it