An electric bug zapper works by using a UVA light to attract flying bugs. As the bugs fly towards the light source, they are electrocuted at a metal grid that covers the light source. The metal grid is charged with high voltage electricity.
UVA light with wavelength between 340nm and 400nm is effective attracting small flying bugs. The UVA light is generated by a specially designed black light bulb. Most of the light emitted by the black light bulb is invisible to human eyes, but visible to many small flying bugs, which tend to flying over to the light source.
The main components of an electric bug zappers are a lighting device and a metal grid that cover the light source. Outside the metal grid, there is usually a plastic guard that prevents people or animal from touching the metal grid.
The metal grid outside the black light bulb is actually two insulated parts that serve as two electrodes that are charged with high voltage electricity. Depending on the distance between the two electrode, the needed voltage that can electrocute approaching bugs is different. Our bug zappers are designed to kill only small insects, so we have narrow mesh gaps on both electric metal grid and the protective plastic mesh guard. For such a purpose, 1000V is sufficient for the narrow gaps between the two electrode to electrocute small insects. While larger bugs are kept away by the plastic mesh guard.