FAQs

Flykillers utilise ultraviolet tubes to attract flying insects into the product, before either zapping them dead on a high voltage killing grid or trapping them on a sticky glueboard. UV tubes attract flying insects by emitting a wavelength of light attractive to flies. Flying insects are attracted to the tube which emits UV at a level comparable to that of the sun, which the flying insect has a natural attraction to as a source of heat.

Shatterproof tubes provide peace of mind in sensitive areas by retaining glass shards if the tube is broken. All our ranges can be shatterproofed, ensuring that you can choose your ideal tube to help you protect even the most sensitive areas, including food preparation and assembly areas. Shatterproof tubes MUST be installed in areas operating a ‘glass free policy’. The Fluorinated Polymer (FEP) material used for all our sleeving is designed specifically for optical transmission and allows 97% of effective UV light to pass through the coating. As a result, the maximum possible amount of useful UV irradiance passes through the sleeving to effectively attract insects. With only 3% of the irradiance being absorbed into the material, the structural integrity of the sleeving is maintained for the full 12 month life of the tube, preventing discolouring and ensuring all glass shards are retained in the event of a breakage. Additionally, all our shatterproof tubes conform to the IEC61549 ‘Fragment Retention’ standard for areas where this is considered appropriate.

We recommend that UV tubes are changed every 12 months to ensure maximum efficacy. The levels of UV produced by fluorescent tubes deteriorates rapidly throughout the life of the tube. Whilst the tube will continue to glow blue or green indefinitely, after approximately 8,000 hours 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, (March/April within Europe) to ensure the flykiller is producing the maximum amount of UV throughout the critical insect season.

We recommend that glueboards are changed every 4 weeks, to prevent the glue from drying out over a longer period of time. Particularly dry or dusty environments may require a more frequent change as atmospheric debris may become attached to the board.