BUGS: More on attractants/repellents

From: Mike Lorrey (mlorrey@datamann.com)
Date: Mon Jul 01 2002 - 07:30:22 MDT


http://www.gelighting.com/na/faq/faq_bug_lite.html

The human visual system is activated by radiant energy in the color
range from deep blue to dark red, which we call light. The vision of
flying insects, however, is shifted away from long-wavelength red toward
the shorter blue and near ultraviolet (black light) wavelengths of the
electromagnetic spectrum.

Sources which radiate ultraviolet energy and blue light are most
attractive to flying insects, while those with a deficiency of
ultraviolet and blue are less attractive. Insects see black light
fluorescent, mercury, and metal halide best. Lamps which insects have a
difficult time seeing include incandescent, high-pressure sodium, and
bug light incandescent (yellow).

Homeowners can reduce insect annoyance by using incandescent "bug
lights", gold fluorescent, or high-pressure sodium near entrances.
Unfortunately none of these sources render complexions, flowers, or
greenery very well because of their lack of blue light.

In addition, any light source near doorways should be shielded from
horizontal view so that the flying insect will be less apt to see it. If
possible, the light source should be located a short distance from the
entrance and the light should be directed to illuminate the entrance.

Note that incandescent "bug lights" do not repel bugs - they just don't
attract as many as plain bulbs because the insects cannot see the yellow
light as well as they can see blue or ultraviolet light.

Another tip is that decks, patios, and particularly barbecue and eating
areas should be lighted from a distance. The custom of stringing colored
bulbs for a festive atmosphere will work reasonably well if the majority
of light in the area is beamed in from some distance away.

...Most insect traps use black light fluorescent lamps as an attractant.
Some traps destroy the insects by use of an electrified grid while
others trap the insects on a renewable sticky surface.

An obvious caution is to install the traps outside the area you are
trying to protect. The 9th edition of the IESNA Lighting Handbook
recommends placing trap lamps 30- to 60-m away from the perimeter of the
area you are trying to protect from entering insects. Specialists should
be consulted to determine specific types of traps and their locations.
------------------------
polarized light and insect vision;

http://www.polarization.com/eyes/eyes.html
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http://www.acehardware.com/PRC/Glossary/OutdrLvng/Insect.asp

Anti-bug lights have special yellow coatings to cut out the blue light
in ordinary bulbs, which attracts night-flying insects. They are
available as incandescent bulbs for standard sockets as well as
floodlights. These lights do not repel bugs; they simply don't attract
them.

...Most electronic insect killers have either an incandescent or
fluorescent light inside (not harmful to the human eye) to attract
flying insects into an electrical grid, which kills them on contact. In
general, the higher the voltage, the greater the luring power and
coverage a unit will have. Most residential bug killers have an average
wattage of 4,500-6,000.

Tests indicate that black-light fluorescent lamps (BL) are the most
successful attractant. Fluorescent black light-blue (BLB), which filters
out visible light, is also popular, but the filters increase the cost of
the lamp.

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I also recommend that all standing pools in the area be either
sterilized or sonically treated. There is an inexpensive device a
teenager invented that, when dipped in mosquito larvae laden water and
turned on, kills the larvae with ultrasonic frequencies. Don't have any
info at the moment, trying to look it up.

Since mosquitos are attracted to CO2 sources from as much as 1/4 mile
away, you can either stop breathing, or else make a bigger CO2 source
and position it away from you.



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