The insect exterminator or insect destroyer is a necessary piece of equipment imposed by the Veterinary Services Directorate and HACCP compliance in the food industry, kitchen preparation areas, food trade and out-of-home catering. For professionals, it is therefore not only a "comfort" equipment to keep flying insects away as is the case for domestic or tertiary use but also an essential element for hygiene control in a professional environment. Voussert offers you expertise and a wide range in the world of insect exterminators with French manufacturers like BRC but also on recognized brands like PELSIS and products developed and manufactured by us in our factories.
Evolution of the insect killer to LED
This type of equipment has undergone several developments and improvements over time due to a better understanding of insect behavior but also due to the growing demand in terms of hygiene requirements in the food industry.
Let's take a look at the different alternatives, performance, and standards for these devices. We'll focus on the move toward LED lighting to replace fluorescent tubes .
The end of the marketing of fluorescent neon tube devices was planned for December 31, 2025. A derogation has been promulgated extending the authorization of sale until February 27, 2027.
After this date, no more fluorescent devices or tubes will be able to be put on the market. For this reason, Voussert has already integrated the transition to LED insect killers, which, as we will discover, offer numerous advantages.
What standards are there for LED technology for insect killers?
New European standards have had a significant impact on the evolution of lighting, including that used in insect repellent devices.
Here are the various regulations that led to these developments:
-> European Ecodesign Regulation (SLR): A new European regulation establishing ecodesign requirements came into force in September 2021. This regulation specifies a minimum performance threshold for light sources, which has led to the phasing out of non-compliant traditional lighting technologies.
-> Recycling and New Materials: These new standards require the recycling of consumables and the use of new non-polluting materials and gases.
-> Transition to LED: Following the implementation of these new standards, Voussert has oriented its professional range towards the best alternatives for replacing the current lighting in its devices, focusing on LED technology. LED was chosen for its reduced energy consumption and longer lifespan , while being environmentally friendly .
For example, the incandescent (filament) lamp disappeared from the lighting market on January 1, 2013, replaced by LED lamps which divided electricity consumption by 6.
What are the specific impacts of switching to LED lighting for insect repellents?
Performance in terms of attractiveness:
An LED lamp can be measured in the laboratory according to the manufacturers to be 15% more attractive than a UVA compact fluorescent lamp (UVA CFL). Its effectiveness level on flies goes from 100% (for fluorescent) to 115%.
LED tubes, with a density of LED points allowing a more homogeneous distribution of the spectrum, have a positive impact on insect attraction. Their attractiveness is 92 to 97% compared to fluorescent tubes.
Longer lifespan and energy saving:
The LED lamp has a lifespan double that of standard fluorescent lamps on average.
The LED lamp allows for energy savings of 75% compared to a fluorescent lamp (20W). The annual operating cost per lamp is reduced from €26 to €7, a saving of 50%.
Environmentally Friendly (ROHS): LED technology is more environmentally friendly, particularly because it does not contain Mercury or Argon gas, unlike fluorescent lamps (which contain Mercury vapor and Argon gas).
LED lamps are ROHS CE compliant.
Can I keep my fluorescent tube insect killer and switch it to LED?
This is where the problem arises in 2025, when the entire range of FLUO neon tubes will be discontinued. Some manufacturers have planned to be able to adapt and therefore keep your device, such as BRC, for example, which has specifically designed its LED solutions so that they can be retrofitted to existing equipment.
Syltrap Helios lamps are compatible with E14 and E27 sockets, and Athena LED tubes are retrofittable to all BRC tube fixtures. LED starters are required and included for LED tubes.
On the other hand, many devices will not offer this possibility and users, whether in professional or domestic environments, will be in a technical impasse...
What are the economic and ecological advantages of LEDs in insect killers?
Switching to LED lamps for pest control, particularly under new European eco-design standards, offers significant financial and ecological benefits.
Here are the main benefits:
Economic advantages in terms of consumption which, as we have seen previously, can go up to 75% depending on performance and a doubled lifespan.
Ecological advantages due to the absence of harmful substances: LED lamps do not contain Mercury or Argon Gas , unlike fluorescent lamps which do. This feature makes LEDs ROHS CE compliant and more environmentally friendly.
Use of new non-polluting materials and gases: The new standards require the use of new non-polluting materials and gases in the manufacture of light sources.
Reduced carbon footprint: The reduced energy consumption of LED lamps results in a lower demand for electricity, which contributes to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions linked to energy production.
Less waste : Thanks to their longer lifespan, LED lamps require less frequent replacement, which generates less waste for recycling.
Recycling of consumables: The new standards involve the recycling of consumables, contributing to more sustainable equipment management.
IP standards for pest control devices
Depending on the use and environment, the IP standard is one of the first things you need to decide. Which IP is necessary (or not) for your business, establishment, or environment?
It is obvious that if you are in a humid environment like a cellar, a central kitchen (washing with lots of water?)...even indoors, an IPX4, IP54 or even IP65 standard will be necessary.
Here is an overview of the different classifications of protection indices to help you choose your insect killer.
IP20 standard insect killer, no wet areas
It is advisable not to use your device in a humid area.
The IP standard characterizes the protection rating of devices against solid and liquid bodies.
In the case of IP20, the numbers 2 and 0 correspond to:
2 means the degree of protection of the device against solid bodies greater than 12 mm,
0 means there is no protection against liquid bodies.
IP21 standard insect destroyer with vertical drops of water
The IP standard characterizes the protection rating of devices against solid and liquid bodies.
In the case of IP21, the numbers 2 and 1 correspond to:
2 means a degree of protection that the device is protected against the penetration of solid bodies larger than 12 mm.
1 means protection against vertically falling water drops.
IP65 insect destroyer ideal for wet areas and jet washing!
With the IP 65 standard, jet washing is possible! Ideal for kitchens thanks to the presence of a central washing station and disinfection station to thoroughly wash your floors and surfaces.
In the case of IP65, the numbers 6 and 5 correspond to:
6 means a total degree of protection against dust ingress
5 means protection against a jet of water directed from any side (no harmful effects)
This protection will make it ideal for use in kitchens where washing and disinfection with a washing station is in place.
IP 54 standard insect repellent: the ideal equipment for wet areas!
An IP54-rated insect killer will be protected against dust and water splashes. This doesn't mean it can be washed down with plenty of water, unlike IP65-rated equipment, but it can still be used in very humid environments without any problems.
This is why if you're looking for a wet area insect killer, the IP54 standard will be sufficient. For total protection, you'll need an IP65 insect killer that allows for jet washing.
This is of significant interest in the kitchen area where cleaning and disinfection solutions can be found using a washing and disinfection station or central washing unit.
In fact, in this specific case, the IP65 standard allows any risk to be avoided if the jet is directed towards the shredder.
This does not mean total immersion of the device, which is covered by the IP68 standard, but which remains a rare excessive case.
IP54 shredder with single grid or glue
You can have the IP54 standard on standard single grid models as well as on glue models. As the insects are completely retained by the glue, the glue destroyer is recommended for so-called sensitive areas such as kitchens and food shops.
In fact, the presence of the glue plate prevents projections and thus recovers struck insects in a completely hygienic manner.
_UK_