UV Light of EFK - when to change bulbs?

Dear All,

I would like to know how often are the UV bulbs of Electronic fly killer being changed.We do it on a yearly basis. Is there any reference regarding this.

Regards,

J

Dear Jean:

My reference is based on the supplier's recommendation stated in the manual of the UV insect light trap.

However, someone also recommended to me that if you found a sudden drop in the numbers of insects caught, don't be too happy. You may need to investigate the 'shelf-life' of the light bulb especially those who on it for 24 hours non-stop.

Any comment from the rest?

Yong

Dear Yong YM,

I don't see any reference - only me ??

Personally, hv noticed some correlation to the efficiency of zapping large insects like moths which presumably take more power. No specific data but I think many tubes fail in less than a year.

Rgds / Charles.C

Dear Charles C.:

Sorry I did not attach the manual. The Brand of the insect light trap is Gilbert, from USA.


Yong

Dear Yong,

Many thks. I followed up yr info. and one useful link which details yr brand (with same 1yr replacement suggested) is -

http://www.critterri...com/gilbert.htm

This remarkable US site appears to be passionately devoted to the control of all types of creatures. (I found the idea of electric shock devices for house control of cats rather alarming, especially the last line - "works when all else fails")

I noticed they recommend placing insectocuters low down if possible which is not usual IMEX. Not sure if this is because most species are not "high-flyers"

Rgds / Charles.C

added - subsequently noticed an explanation for low positioning, never knew this, maybe geographical ? -

Place wall mounted Fly traps down low to best catch day-flying insects like the housefly. Ceiling traps for fly control will catch flies; but it is the flies nature to be below five feet high (even skimming the floor) when they are most responsive to fly traps.

Ceiling-hung Flytraps are the trap of choice for night-fliers (such as stored product moths). They have a tendency to fly at higher heights in buildings. However, night-fliers respond to light quicker and from farther distances than day-fliers and can usually be handled with a well designed system consisting primarily of low, wall-mounted flytraps

http://www.pestcontr...aps_gilbert.htm

I have a bit of an issue with 'use by' dates. The UV bulb manufacturers want you to buy fresh bulbs every year regardless of whether they are kaput or not. I have some athletes foot powder that expired in 2002, but it's full. I have a little patch of AF and used the powder and it worked fine (OK maybe my foot will fall off next week ). \in reality it probably won't. Is there a device for measuring UV light output?

Simon

Jean,

What I suggest is to follow the manufacturers advice.Also if we have qualified engineering technicians they can also help in finding out the right quality products.


thanks
Sheeja

Why do you have an "issue" with use by dates Simon?

The uv tubes are ok until they are used, then the constituant uv light emitted by the bulb degrades over a period with a definative peak and trough over an approximate period of between 6 and 9 months dependant on the manufacture of tube until the bulb is depleted.

In the uk the peak period of flying insect activity is obviously spring through summer, then the bulbs should be changed and machines serviced in April/May to benefit the client and their IPM needs.

It is`nt rocket science and the hand held devises to check for levels of UV output are available. But like everything else each of us have our specialities I`m only interested in pest control

Then again different species have different suseptabilities to the uv light, lesser houseflies Fannia canicularis do not respond or enter EFK`s yet drisophila species will enter readily but the client invariably have the wrong type of EFK on site and then find them worthless.

Just a view from the other side,

Bunny

Dear Bunny,

Thks, very interesting to the zap community. By other side I presume you mean the "light" one.

Then again different species have different suseptabilities to the uv light, lesser houseflies Fannia canicularis do not respond or enter EFK`s yet drisophila species will enter readily but the client invariably have the wrong type of EFK on site and then find them worthless.

So, out of curiosity, what kind of EFK is required in former case (sorry fannia lovers ) ??

Rgds / Charles.C

Charles,

In my opinion, you would be better to look to proofing and keeping the Fannia out of the building in the first instance.

As they are not susceptible to UV light then no EFK made will do the trick for you, look to physical barriers such as fly screens or strip curtains.

Regards

Bunny

Why do you have an "issue" with use by dates Simon?

Well you know, I'm a grumpy old bugger who thinks everyone is out to make a quick buck, usually at my expense. Rightly or wrongly I assume best before, use by, you need another one quick dates are only half truths and are there to ensure the wheels of industry are greased. Now we've got your expert input we know that UV tubes are an exception to my paranoic rule.

Thanks Bunny, it helps to get comments from someone who knows what they are talking about.

Simon

Dear All,

Firstly, sorry for the late reply and thanks for the inputs. The UV bulbs in our unit are due to be replaced next month. During a chitchat with our pest controller, I casually asked as to who recommends the UV bulbs replacement yearly and whether they measure the UV light emission before changing etc…He replied saying it is EFK manufacturer who recommends the lights to be changed every year depending on the type of EFK.

I have seen blue and green lights being used in many places and the reason being is, blue lights are effective in the morning especially for attracting the houseflies and the green ones in the evening for the night or evening fliers like fruit flies or drain flies.

As Charles quoted the low positioned (1m above from the ground) and placed in a corner side is effective for the house flies and as per the pest controller compared to the hanging type which is fixed at 2m. The efficiency of EFK depends on the area of coverage and right location where it is installed.

Regards,

J

Hi all,

Last week, I attended one presentation from Johnson Diversey on fly control. It was a eye opener session for me as I was not aware of so many things about flies. First, flies are blind and cannot see the normal lights and so they are attracted to UV lights. Second, the optimum height of IOC should be around 2m above the ground. Also, the optimum UV tube life is 10-11 months.

In our plant, we have different UV lights...green, blue and sky blue. I was not knowing the effects of green light typically....thanks Jean for the info. But still, I am looking for some instrument with which I can check the frequency of UV light as effectiveness of sky blue tubes seems to be uncertain to me.

Do anyone have the info on any instrument used to check UV light wavelength and cost of it?

Regards,

Piyush Mishra

Hi Piyush, thanks for your input and welcome to the forums.

Can anybody help with this query?

Do anyone have the info on any instrument used to check UV light wavelength and cost of it?

Try this one for size, it`s what I use for my routine inspections and is very useful

uva_meter.jpg   6.8KB   43 downloads

Available from my pest control equipment suppliers here in the UK.

Bunny

Hi Bunny,


Thanks for the photo of the instrument. Can you forward more information on this instrument, like cost, method of use and its effectiveness? I got some quotations from Johnson Diversey but didn't find them user friendly.

Thanks,

Piyush Mishra

Hello Piyush,

Here is the address for their website KILLGERM

all the details are there if you enter a search for UV light meter, alternatively telephone their technical department they are very good

Bunny

Thanks Bunny, the site is really useful.

Hi,
As per our leading and recognised pest control agency is PCI in India.
As per our requirment each UV bulb has a shelf life of 6000 to 9000 hrs.

Amal

Tubes in the EFKs should be replaced at least annually shortly before the main flying insect season begins.

Regards,

Tony

before the main flying insect season begins

Sounds like Formula 1

9000 / 24 = 375 days. Eureka ! Presumably it's 2 years in Scotland.

Or when it flickers after 6 months perhaps ? (Do they flicker ?)

Rgds / Charles.C

Tubes in the EFKs should be replaced at least annually shortly before the main flying insect season begins.

An annual bulb change March / April is what I've always experienced and is the norm in the UK. If the 6,000 to 9,000 hours life is accurate then that would fit as the bulbs would be degrading in winter when there is little or no insect activity. One thing on that 6,000 to 9,000 hours bulb life seems like a very large range to me.

I’d be interested to hear how bulb changes are managed in other regions where perhaps it’s a little (a lot) hotter year round. Perhaps Charles’s flicker method is used.

Regards,
Simon

Hi Simon,

We have a regulatory requirement to change the UV bulbs on an annual basis. Morover we inspect the fly killers every month and always tend to find more than one fly dead in the tray. I believe this prooves the efficiency of the UV lights.

Hi all,

Last week, I attended one presentation from Johnson Diversey on fly control. It was a eye opener session for me as I was not aware of so many things about flies. First, flies are blind and cannot see the normal lights and so they are attracted to UV lights. Second, the optimum height of IOC should be around 2m above the ground. Also, the optimum UV tube life is 10-11 months.

In our plant, we have different UV lights...green, blue and sky blue. I was not knowing the effects of green light typically....thanks Jean for the info. But still, I am looking for some instrument with which I can check the frequency of UV light as effectiveness of sky blue tubes seems to be uncertain to me.

Do anyone have the info on any instrument used to check UV light wavelength and cost of it?

Regards,

Piyush Mishra

 

The wavelength of the machines need not be checked. It is the wattage of the light emitted that needs to be checked. When the bulb is new, you may get UVA of 3 Watts in a normal 18 Watts bulb. OVver a period of time, this reduces and if it reaches less than .5 watt, the efficacy of attracting flies will reduce and you may go for a change of the bulb.

There are machines available namely Lutron UV-340

 

Sivakumar

IPM and Fumigation India

Here it is, 

bug zapper