Do Bug Zappers Work Better with Specific Bulb Types for Flies?

Hey everyone!
I’ve been battling a fruit fly invasion on my patio and decided to test if ​bulb types actually matter for bug zapper efficiency. I tried three bulbs:

  1. ​Standard UV tube (the one that came with the zapper).
  2. ​LED UV bulb (marketed as “eco-friendly”).
  3. ​Blue-tinted “fly-specific” bulb (claims to attract more pests).

The results? Mixed! The blue bulb fried more houseflies, but the UV tube caught more mosquitoes. The LED? Barely sizzled a gnat. Is there science here, or is it marketing hype? Let’s dissect:

  • ​Do certain wavelengths (nm) attract specific flies?
  • ​Does bulb brightness or color trump type?
  • ​Are “fly-specific” bulbs worth the $$$?

Share your experiments, fails, or “lightbulb” moments below!

Blue bulbs are KING for houseflies! My Blue caught 50+ in one night. Mosquitoes? Still bit me.

Flies see UV best (300-420 nm). My 365 nm UV tube slaughters them. LED bulbs often emit weaker wavelengths, scams!

Switched to a mercury-vapor bulb, flies swarm it, but it’s power-hungry. Worth it?

They prefer CO2, not light! Use a fan and bulb combo.

LED zapper bulbs last longer but attract 70% fewer flies. Back to UV tubes, planet be damned.

Green bulbs! Horseflies can’t resist them. My zapper looks like a rave, but my cows are happier. @SkepticalSue fans blow flies toward the zapper, genius!

@CaveDweller666 green (520 nm) attracts fewer non-target bugs.

@SkepticalSue adding a fan now, thanks!

Zappers + beer = fly apocalypse.