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Flies.
Let's face it, they are a nuisance whichever way you look at them. Not only do they look freaky with their little beady eyes and black, twitchy legs, they also sound annoying. And, there's also that really irritating one that insists on landing on you again and again and again making you flinch, jump and shout like you are having a strange episode. I mean, really. Why do they do that? Or, is it just me? Flies are unquestionably annoying, but that aside, they also spread disease. One teeny, tiny little fly can contaminate the surface it lands on with salmonella, tuberculoses, cholera, dysentery and many other nasty diseases. So, the burning question on everyone's lips; which fly killer will best suit my needs? I've often wondered this… OK, not entirely true, but I'm pleased to say that if I ever have a problem with flies I now deem myself an expert and will know exactly what to consider when selecting a method of fly control. You too can be a fly killing expert like me. Please read on.
Electric Fly Killer Units
Electric fly killers attract flies with long-wavelength ultraviolet light and then electrocute them when they touch the surface. These units are generally only installed indoors so they don't attract other flying insects such as moths. I'd like to say that one less flippy, flappy, fluttering in your face insect wouldn't worry me too much, however I have to agree with the general consensus that it's OK to kill a fly but not a moth. The death of a moth would definitely niggle at my conscience. Sorry fly. The drawback for using an electric grid unit is that small particles of the fly can get projected into the air when the fly gets zapped. These particles can contaminate food, or be inhaled, so these types of units aren't always the best option.
Glue Board
Glue boards operate in a similar fashion to electric grid fly killer units in that the flies are attracted to the board by a UV light. With this method, the entire fly is caught so there is no risk of contamination by particles of the dead body. Glue boards can often be cheaper to buy than electric fly killer units, however, it's important to remember that the glue board will need to be replaced regularly, possibly up to once month, in areas where there are many flies. Glue board units are effective for use in sensitive applications such as food preparation or production areas.
Other types
Many decorative fly killer units are available on the market. These stylish units are less intrusive than industrial units and tend to be installed in areas like bars, lobbies and restaurants where style and decoration is important. Fly screens can also be fitted to windows and doorways.
Considerations
When choosing a fly killer, there are a number of things to consider such as the area of coverage required, the type of environment it is to be installed in (Indoors or outdoors? Is the environment dry or damp? Etc), where to place it, maintenance, and mounting options. If you decide an electric fly killer unit is the best option, it's important to note that fly killer units used in food preparation should be fitted with shatter resistant lamps. These lamps are manufactured with a plastic coating which will contain the glass in the event of the lamp being broken. Lamp efficiency deteriorates over time so it's worth using good quality lamps. A good quality lamp would normally be replaced after 12 months of use, whereas some of the cheaper lamps available on the market may need to be changed in as little as 2-3 months.
Tips
Don't install your fly killer unit near a window or doorway as the flies will ignore it during the day, but will be drawn in when it gets dark. In areas that are hot and humid, and areas where there is a high dust content, specialist fly killers that meet IP65 and ATEX ratings and standards may be required. Avoid installing your fly killer unit in areas where there is a flow of hot air (ie next to extractor fans or cookers). Flying insects do not like moving air currents and will avoid these areas making your unit less effective for controlling the flies. If you need to install your fly killer unit in a loft space, try to mount it as centrally as possible to ensure the best area of coverage. Final thought It's been bugging me (no pun intended) since I started writing this as to why flies like to land on us. I have actually looked this up. It seems that flies like landing on us for warmth and nourishment. We are a good source of salt, dead skin, oil and anything else they can find on us which they suck up through their straw-like tongue. They also look for somewhere warm to poop, vomit and lay their eggs. Nice. I'll leave you with that final thought.