What is a Glue Board Fly Killer and how does it work?

Glue board fly killers are similar to electric fly killers or 'zappers' in the sense that they ultilise ultraviolet (UV) light to attract flying insects to the unit. The difference is that instead of being 'zapped' on an electrical grid, the fly is captured on a sticky glue board in the back of the unit.

Whilst both types of units are very effective in flying insect control, Glue board type units are recommended in food preparation areas instead of fly zapper units. The main reason for this is that, as a result of research and legislation, it has been found that with electric fly killers (zappers) insect debris can travel outside the unit and could lead to 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 solve this problem by capturing and retaining the insect whole on the glue board for hygienic disposal when the glue board is full or during the next service.

There are two key components to glue board fly killers:

• Ultraviolet tubes - which attract the flying insect
• Glue board - which captures and retains the flying insect

Due to the hygienic aspect of glue board fly killers, they are the preferred choice of fly control in food preparation and handling areas as well as other sensitive environments. Glue board fly killers are ideally suited to commercial back of house areas including cafes & restaurants, delis, other commercial kitchens, bakeries, butchers, abattoirs, food manufacturing, warehouses, storage facilities, etc.

Glue board fly killers require regular servicing to change the glue board. Depending on the environment and intensity of flying insects the glue board should be changed approximately every 4 - 6 weeks or when full, whichever comes first. Therefore it is a good idea to consider the best location for your glue board fly killer, during installation, to make sure it can be accessed easily for servicing. 

Same as for electric fly killers, the UV tubes should be changed annually. This is because the UV level deteriorates rapidly throughout the life of the tube. Whilst the tube may continue to glow, the amount of useful UV (which humans cannot see) drops to a level where it is no longer attractive to flying insects. As a result , UV tubes must be replaced annually to ensure they remain effective in producing useful levels of UV. This replacement cycle is typically undertaken just before the peak insect season, to ensure the fly killer is producing the maximum amount of UV throughout the critical insect season.