Charles & Hudson - Latest Comments in Mosquito Killers

Re: Mosquito Killers

Charles & Hudson — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 02:55:04 -0000

As awful as those light zappers are its always so fascinating to just stare at them while they zap away!!!

Re: Mosquito Killers

Charles & Hudson — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 02:54:12 -0000

Sarah - thanks for pointing this out. In some cases there is no free lunch so to speak but when it comes to clearing bugs there are a lot of different options and we also agree that it may be better to seek non-toxic alternatives.

Re: Mosquito Killers

modernemama — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:57:13 -0000

I wonder if it works better than those awful 1970s blacklight mosquito zappers?

Re: Mosquito Killers

Sarah S — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:55:36 -0000

That Bob Vila product uses a chemical called pyrethin. From wikipedia:

" Care should be taken when using this substance around humans and animals. Overdose and toxicity can result in a variety of symptoms, especially in pets, including drooling, lethargy, muscle tremors, vomiting, seizures and death. Toxicity symptoms in humans include asthmatic breathing, sneezing, nasal stuffiness, headache, nausea, incoordination, tremors, convulsions, facial flushing and swelling, and burning and itching sensation..

Pyrethrin is extremely toxic to aquatic life, such as bluegill and lake trout while it is slightly toxic to bird species, such as mallards... Natural pyrethrins are highly fat soluble, but are easily degraded and thus do not accumulate in the body. These compounds are toxic to bees also."

Sounds like an irresponsible use of chemicals to me, although I do hate mosquitoes more than just about anything.