Flykillers utilise ultraviolet tubes to attract flying insects into the product, before either zapping them dead on a high voltage killing grid or trapping them on a sticky glueboard. UV tubes attract flying insects by emitting a wavelength of light attractive to flies, between 350 – 368nm. Flying insects are attracted to the tube which emits UV at a level comparable to that of the sun, which the flying insect has a natural attraction to as a source of heat.

Flykillers require maintenance to ensure they are kept working at optimum efficiency. UV tubes have an effective life of approximately 8000 hours, and as such should be replaced at least once a year, ideally before the summer season. Once drawn to the UV light, zapper flykillers zap the flying insect on a high voltage killing grid, which can be tested to make sure it is working properly by inserting an insulated screwdriver between the bars of the killing grid.

Glueboard units also use the UV light to attract the flying insect into the flykiller, but then catch the insect on a sticky board, providing a silent and discreet catch. The glueboard with caught insects can then be inspected if required or disposed of hygienically. The quality of glueboard used will dramatically impact upon the effectiveness of the flykiller. The P+L flykillers that we sell are supplied with genuine GLUPAC™ branded glueboards, which incorporate UV stable glue with impregnated pheromones to further attract flying insects. However, glueboards have an effective life of approximately thirty days and as such should be replaced every month to ensure the glue effectively retains the caught insect.

Flykillers should be installed in a location most suited to increasing the efficacy of the product, as shown in the ‘Where should I install my flykiller?’ section of this page.

Choosing the appropriate flykiller for your application will help ensure your environment is correctly protected from flying insects. Each flykiller has a recommended coverage area based upon UV light output, specification and design. As a general rule, zapper flykillers are ideal for backroom areas with high numbers of flying insects, whilst glueboard units are appropriate for sensitive applications such as food preparation areas. Front of house and domestic areas often require a decorative solution, providing discreet but effective insect control. In commercial applications, flykillers should be supplemented with preventative barrier protection, in the form of insect control chains, screens and insecticide to repel and stop the insect entering your premises.

The UV light emitted from the tubes attracts flying insects to the flykiller, so it is important to ensure that the UV light can be seen from all areas of the room to be protected. As such, flykillers should ideally be mounted at least 2m above ground level, providing a increased opportunity for the fly to be attracted to the UV light. Position the flykiller on the opposite wall to sources of natural light such as doors, windows and skylights, which may provide competition to the UV tubes in attracting flying insects. The UV tubes should be visible from every part of the area to be protected, so give extra thought to complex areas with pillars, beams and other obstacles. In particularly complex or large areas, two or more flykillers may be required to ensure appropriate protection against flying insects.