Insect Light Traps

Insect Light Traps, or ILT's, work great at catching flies including House Flies and Cluster Flies, Yellow Jackets, and other flying insects, such as Asian Lady Beetles, Red Flour Beetle (not the Confused Flour Beetle).

How do Insect Light Traps work?

While they put off a blue light, the lamps are coated with UV so they are also putting off a UV light. We can't see the UV light, but flying insects can. Some can see it up to 30' away or more. While other insects don't see very far at all - maybe 5'.

Why are insects attracted to UV light?

Perhaps because it is like outside light and they want to get "outside", but more likely because they see it as a place for warmth. House Flies like it about 82.4 degrees Farenheit, which is warmer than most interiors, so they are attracted to the Insect Light Traps.

Are flying insects attracted to anything else?

Yes. Food and Sex, although some flying insects are more interested in Food than Sex, while others are more intersted in Sex than Food (if at all). Many restaurants attract flies by their great food smells, but once they get in, they can quickly change their mind and go after heat, and then get caught in our ILT.

I tried an ILT once. It worked in the beginning, but not as well later. Why?

Commonly if someone tells us they tried an insect light trap but after a while it "didn't work as well", it is almost always due to the fact they didn't change the lamps. Even though they still light up, the UV coating wears off, and thus they don't catch as many flying insects. The UV wears off pretty quickly, thus we change the lamps every year going in to summer. Many companies who lease their ILT's don't tell you that their policy is to change them every two years, if even at all.

Placement Is Key

Proper placement is key, not only to catch the most flying insects, but for other reasons too.  You don't want it where it can be easily damaged. You shouldn't have it above a food prep or serving surface (ask for details, including specific guidance from the state of Minnesota). You want it where it can be serviced easily, and you don't want it where it'll actually attract flying insects in from the outside.

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