Fly Zappers vs Glue Board Fly Killers

Fly Zappers vs Glue Board Fly Killers - What is the difference and which is the best choice for your situation?

In order to make the best decision it is first important to understand how each one works.

Fly Zappers or Electric Fly Killers use ultraviolet tubes to attract flying insects into the unit, before 'zapping' them dead when they touch a high voltage killing grid. UV tubes attract flying insects by emitting a wavelength of light attractive to flies. Dead flies are then caught in a catch tray to allow hygienic disposal.  The name stems from the characteristic 'zap' sound produced when an insect is electrocuted.

Glue Board Fly Killers are designed to be more discreet and hygienic in their function of trapping flying insects. Similar to Fly Zappers, they use ultraviolet light to attract flying insects to the unit except instead of being 'zapped' on an electrical grid, the insect is caught on a sticky glue board. They are silent in operation and hygienic making them ideal for sensitive areas such as food preparation, restaurant dining areas, commercial kitchens and other commercial front of house areas.

The main benefit glue board fly killers have over fly zappers is the hygiene aspect. With fly zappers there is an ongoing risk of food contamination. This can occur when the fly is electrocuted (or zapped) and particles can be exploded outside the unit resulting in food contamination. It can also occur if a wind or breeze blows dead flies or body parts out of the catch tray at the base of the unit.

Glue board units on the other hand capture and retain the flying insect on a non-drying, sticky board which can be removed and disposed of hygienically when full. There are no fragmenting body parts and flies cannot be blown from the unit. Thus making these types of units ideal for sensitive environments and food preparation areas such as food manufacturing, commercial kitchens, bar areas, cafes and restaurants, delis, etc.

Fly zappers are still a good choice for non-sensitive areas such as store rooms, garbage bin rooms, loading docks and other commercial back of house areas.

Fly zappers require little maintenance ongoing - a regular clean out of the dead flies from the catch tray and an annual change of the UV lamps is about all that is required.

Glue board fly killers require a little more servicing with the changing of the glue board every 4 - 6 weeks or when the board is full of flies, whichever comes first, as well as the annual changing of the UV lamps.

So now that you know how each one works, and the main benefits of each, you can make an informed decision on which type of model to purchase for your business.