A bug zapper, extra formally referred to as an electrical discharge insect management system, electric insect killer or (insect) electrocutor trap, is a gadget that attracts and kills flying insects which might be attracted by light. A light supply attracts insects to an electrical grid, where they are electrocuted by touching two wires with a high voltage between them. The name comes from the characteristic onomatopoeic "zap" sound produced when an insect is electrocuted. How Does a Bug Zapper Work? Inside Poundland's electric fly zapper bat. Do bug zappers really work? Bug zappers are often housed in a protective cage of plastic or grounded steel bars to prevent individuals or larger animals from touching the excessive voltage grid. A gentle supply is fitted inside, typically a fluorescent lamp designed to emit each seen and ultraviolet light, which is visible to insects and attracts quite a lot of them. Newer fashions now use long-life LEDs to produce the light. The light supply is surrounded by a pair of interleaved bare wire grids or helices.

The distance between adjacent wires is often about 2 mm (0.079 in). A excessive-voltage power provide powered by wall power is used, which may be a easy transformerless voltage multiplier circuit made with diodes and capacitors which can generate a voltage of 2 kilovolts or extra. This is high enough to conduct by means of the body of an insect which bridges the 2 grids, but not excessive enough to spark across the air hole. Enough electric current flows by means of the small physique of the insect to heat it to a excessive temperature. The impedance of the power supply and the arrangement of the grid is such that it can not drive a harmful present by way of the physique of a human. Many buy bug zapper zappers are fitted with trays that collect the electrocuted insects