Zappers
Anyway, the Zappers I am referring to are insect destroyers. They emit ultraviolet light, which attracts insects and then electrocutes them. We only use them indoors against the annoying flies that buzz insistently round our heads and drive poor Gilbert mad. I am aware that more welcome bugs might be assassinated, but so far, it’s just the flies that have been done away with.
There is a loud ‘zap’ when an ill-starred fly is seduced by the light. Sometimes, though thankfully rarely, there is an unmistakeable smell of burning. I know that flies have their uses and it’s unfortunate that they have such a poor reputation. If only they would remain outside, they could live to buzz another day. Sadly, there is no chance of them learning by their mistakes.
We had one many, many years ago. All it did was attract every flying insect across the state and run up the electricity bill.
ReplyDeleteI haven't noticed an impact on our electricity consumption - maybe I'm not looking hard enough.👀
DeleteI am not sure why homes in the UK do not have window screens. They are standard equipment on homes here in the States, even when there is air conditioning.
ReplyDeleteWe're behind the times here. We still get excited about air conditioning in cars.
DeleteFlies would be much more tolerable if they stayed outside where they belong, but once they come indoors, it's hard not to resort to extreme measures. I am familiar with this. I have seen this in some stores. But didn't know it was called zappers. Thanks for sharing that bit of info.
ReplyDeleteThere's a wide range available online. In principle, I'm against killing things, but there are limits . . .
DeleteI once thought of getting one for the mosquitos in the garden, but decided to just stay inside and dawn and dusk when they were out and about instead.
ReplyDeleteCitronella candles are supposed to help, but I think your solution is safer.
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ReplyDeleteFurther to Ana's comment above, when my American friend visited my Torridon cottage in summer last year, she made the mistake of opening her bedroom window and let in a few thousand midges. This initiated a lengthy discussion about window screens and I did vow to look into the possibility of getting some installed, but then forgot about it. It's rare than nights are so warm in NW Scotland that one feels the need to open a window!
ReplyDeleteCheers, Gail.
'a few thousand midges' - ha ha ha! Not funny for your friend, though.
DeleteThose zappers are supposed to be really good and I'm thinking about one. The flies were (still ar when the sun shines) an absolute pest! xx
ReplyDeleteThey are efficient, though the loud 'zap' is a bit startling.
DeleteI didn't think of a hairdresser but rather of a remote control, because in french we say "zapper" if we change channels looking for a nice program, nothing to do with flying insects. Fortunately I had only one fly living in my room for a couple of days, before Rosie my zapper caught it and ate it !
ReplyDeleteWell done, Rosie! 😺
DeleteWe have a big one in our dining room, it's the darker section of our living area, it works well, we will turn it off soon as we are no longer opening doors, sadly we have issues from our neighbour and flies and smells are top of the list.
ReplyDeleteOh, dear, it's a pity there isn't a zapper for smells . . . or your neighbour.
DeleteI tried a small solar powered one in our old house. Needless to say, it was not very successful.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it did its best . . . 😫
DeleteI'm with you, flies belong outside. They carry disease. Also I do not want mosquitoes in the house. I am not good aim with the fly swatter but my husband is and he is in charge of jumping up and chasing one down. Usually Precious lets us know which direction it is flying, lol.
ReplyDeleteWell done your husband 😁
DeleteLike Ana Dunk, I am a bit surprised about the lack of screens. I don't think we could live without it here in Central Canada, but I have seen screenless windows on the west coast.
ReplyDeleteWe're way behind the times in good old Blighty.
DeleteI don't like flies indoors, especially not around food for obvious reasons. For the dogs sake we often leave our front door open and last summer bought a simple screen of plastic strips on a pole that we hang from a couple of nails driven into the door frame. It works a treat and has considerably cut down on flies coming in but if they do then we have a swatter in every room. No flies on me 😉
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
I remember those screens - simple but effective. 😃
DeleteI can imagine poor Gilbert with those annoying pesky flies. I have seen those zappers here also. We have screens on all the doors and windows here which seems to keep them at bay. It took me a while to get used to them but they are only used in the hot summers and taken down during the winter. Funny story is when my mother first visited us years ago, she thought I had dreadfully dirty windows and didn't realize they were screens until I took one off to clean. Of course she didn't tell me until she was almost ready to go home, lol!
ReplyDeleteYour poor mother, in an agony of indecision about your 'dirty windows' . . . 😂
DeleteI'd never heard of Zappers to be honest, but Jos is a dab hand at fly swatting :-) xxx
ReplyDeleteIt's a man thing, clearly. 🤣
DeleteFlies are certainly best outside, but not always possible!
ReplyDeleteI have often seen these zappers in shops they do seem to help.
All the best Jan
It's ironic, really. We mourn the decline in insects yet kill the ones we see.
DeleteYou are lucky to have such a zapper! I suppose they are to be found here, butI haven't heard of them/ seen them. Such a thing might make eating outside on my deck more bearable certain times of the year when mosquitoes are rampant!
ReplyDeleteMosquitoes are such a nuisance. They must serve some purpose in the grand scheme of things.
DeleteThank you for commenting (on my blog)about my new pup, Olive, who is now 4 1/2 months old. Ha, you were the only one who noticed. And thanks also for noticing that I mentioned that Violet and Tulip have passed. Tulip really was my 'heart' dog, and she passed last winter. Olive is an energetic new additiion and a different breed.
ReplyDeleteAll our pets, past and present, have earned, their place in our hearts, but some are more attuned to us than others.
DeleteMy sister has one to use near the outdoor dining table for mosquitoes. It is quite a zap when a moth gets fried.
ReplyDeleteAt least there's no lingering death . . .
DeleteWe have one of those in the kitchen at Zac's. Yes, sometimes a big one will burn until its ashes crumble away.
ReplyDeleteIt's an uncomfortable reminder of what we're allowing to happen.
DeleteOne of the few things I like about American houses are the screens on the windows, no worries about things getting in the house with the windows open!
ReplyDeleteI do wonder why it hasn't caught on here. Give it time . . .
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