Cathay carbon dioxide exhaled by humans has been scientifically proven to be a substance that attracts mosquitoes. Mosquitoes primarily rely on carbon dioxide, body temperature, and body odor to locate their hosts and are not sensitive to ultraviolet light. Photocatalytic mosquito killers generate light, heat, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and flowing air during operation, mimicking human respiration to attract mosquitoes. The mosquitoes are drawn away and fall into the mosquito-trapping cyclone, where they dehydrate and die. The killing mechanisms of mosquito killers mainly include three methods: high-voltage electric shock, fan suction drying, and sticky trapping. Photocatalysis can also purify the air and sterilize.
Mosquito killers typically use UVA wavelengths (320-400nm) ultraviolet light to exploit the phototaxis of mosquitoes. Studies have shown that Culex mosquitoes exhibit a clear attraction to light sources with wavelengths of 365nm, 405nm, 420nm, and 450nm, with 365nm and 420nm being the most effective at attracting them. Using the phototaxis of mosquitoes to lure and kill them is an important means of mosquito control.
However, the actual effectiveness of mosquito killer lamps has limitations. Laboratory tests show that only some products have a kill rate of ≥70%, while many products have an actual kill rate of less than 20%. The proportion of blood-sucking female mosquitoes captured by mosquito killer lamps is relatively low, and the effectiveness is affected by factors such as ambient light and human activity. Regarding safety, the UVA band poses less harm to humans, but children should be kept away from high-voltage electric grids during use, and the lamp should be placed at a height of 1.5-2 meters to ensure safety.
