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Filth flies such as drain flies, houseflies, phorid flies, fruit flies, flesh flies, and blow flies are attracted to fly traps.

Fluorescent bulbs need to be replaced every year as they naturally degrade and lose about 40% UV light output, resulting in decreased fly catch speed and performance. Comparatively, LED bulbs have a 3x longer lifespan.

Fluorescent UVA bulbs that have crossed the one-year mark do not stop attracting flying insects. It is just that their performance deteriorates with time. It may be beneficial to change the bulbs more frequently in tropical climates since they have a less-defined fly season. Whereas for temperate climates, it is recommended to replace the bulbs in spring.

Bulbs used in Insect Light Traps emit intense UVA beams between 315nm and 400nm. The spectral sensitivity of pests, particularly filth flies, to light in this particular wavelength draws them to these bulbs. Hence, Insect Light Traps use UV light to deliver superior fly catch performance.

Glue boards in Insect Light Traps usually need to be replaced once or twice a month, especially in places with high flying insect activity. Although glue boards are engineered to remain sticky for long periods, light traps eventually turn out to be the problem. The traps either become overcrowded with flies or get coated with dust and other air particles. In such situations, it is advisable to use additional Insect Light Traps to improve the capture range rather than change glue boards more frequently.

Glue board-based Insect Light traps are one of the most acceptable fly control solutions across various industries. They offer several advantages over non-glue board-based traps such as:

• Captured flies stay intact on glue boards
• Insect fragments do not fly around and contaminate the area
• Insect population density can be easily monitored
• Species, count, and time data is efficiently recorded
• Analysis is possible for continuous improvement

It is scientifically impractical to state the coverage of an Insect Light Trap. Whether or not insects get attracted to UVA rays is dependent on both distance and other light sources in the vicinity. However, our research (independently conducted at accredited laboratories) has repeatedly shown that the capture rate of flying insects is determined by the light output as well as the design of a trap. The distance to elicit a response from flies depends on insect types, structure layouts, and materials and ambient light in the surroundings.

Filth flies are the most common fly pests within human settlements that depend on organic wastes for their development. They carry multiple pathogens, posing a serious threat to the human food chain. These insects are also known to cause vector illnesses such as salmonella, dysentery, typhoid fever, cholera, poliomyelitis, yaws, leprosy, tuberculosis, and anthrax. Hence, enterprises, especially food facilities, need fly control to avoid health code violations and serious penalties, including loss of business license.