How to build a portable bug zapper

This instructable shows you how to build your own bug zapper using recycled parts and is general in its suggestions. To see how I built my bug zapper, you can visit my website's bugzapper page here.

Now having said that, there are countless of ways to build a bug zapper. It all depends on the types of bugs you're targeting and the size of the bug zapper you want to build. Also the design plays a huge part in the effectiveness of the bug zapper.

Update! For more info about how bug zappers work, you can refer to this link

Disclaimer
I am not liable if your shock yourself or injury yourself, working with high voltages is very dangerous!!

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Step 1: Tools and Materials

The tools that I used were a Dremel tool kit with cutting accessories and some basic tools such as a handsaw and a drill. The tools you can use will always vary.

The materials you will need to build your bug zapper may vary from mine, but I'll tell you what I used:

the circuitry from an old rechargeable lantern (battery and tube useless)
a new 6V rechargeable sealed lead acid battery
two garden plant vase dish
6 long wooden dowels
a 1 yard squared 1/4" mesh wire
plywood
my design uses a blacklight

Kinnishian says: Jul 15, 2012. 9:58 AM

Great instructable :). I've been meaning to replace the old zapper we used to have, but this gives me the encouragement to actually go ahead and do that.

If i could offer some feedback on this instructable and your zapper page, however, is that I don't think I would understand the principles of how the zapper, if I didn't already know how it works. I think not everyone knows how a zapper works, so especially for safety, I think you ought to give a bit of background to the "how works" of your instructable.

Also, I dont think you listed the backlight in materials- any tips where I might find a selection of sizes for those?

Thanks, good sir! Or ma'am. Or anything you want to be.

fretted says: Nov 26, 2012. 3:35 PM

What attracts mosquitoes?

Wondering what attracts mosquitoes to you or other people? Here are several main things everyone should know in order to avoid or to lure these insects.

Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide from the breath of humans and animals helps mosquitoes to find their prey. A burning candle or other fire is another source of carbon dioxide. However, CO2 alone is not enough to attract mosquitoes.
Lactic Acid
Everyone of us releases lactic acid when exercising or consuming particular foods. This chemical is used in some of mosquito traps as an attractant.

Octenol

When people and animals breathe, they exhale mixture of carbon dioxide and octenol, which is actually a type ofalcohol. Octenol is sometimes described as 'cow’s breath in a can', and is a remarkable lure for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes and other biting insects have extremely-sensitive receptors that can detect this chemical from almost 100 feet away.

Body heat
Circulating blood in animals and humans radiates body heat. As mosquitoes have sophisticated heat sensors, they follow body heat and exhaled gases and fly to their target. The exact temperature depends on the type of mosquito.
Moisture
During breathing people also exhale water vapor and perspiration is produced during active movement. Even small amounts of water will attract mosquitoes as it could mean possible blood source or possible breading site.
Movement
Mosquitoes can see their victims from within 30 feet by locating the changes in waves of light around them, caused by moving objects.
Color
Mosquitoes are attracted to dark colors, so wearing dark is not the best thing if you want to avoid being bitten. Dark foliage is another attractant.
Sound
Although some of mosquito trap manufacturers state that they use mosquito attracting or repelling sounds, scientists have proven there is no particular sound frequency that would be interesting to mosquitoes.

Scientific experiments show that only one of mentioned sources is not enough for mosquitoes to react – combination of several things as carbon dioxide, lactic acid and octenol attracts mosquitoes best.

consulted says: Jul 15, 2012. 3:34 PM

A good place to look for Blacklights is Spencer Gifts. A Woods Light is used by various practitioners to detect fungi.

MrJentis (author) says: Jul 15, 2012. 10:28 AM

Thanks for your feedback. I'll take your advise to add a "how a bug zapper works" section to my pages and the added safety that should be involved. Also, I didn't add the blacklight to the materials because it was an optional extra and various other substitutes could be used such as a suction fan,etc. It varies with your design. As where you can find a selection of lights to use, you can check your local electronics or hardware store.

doctorbigdaddy says: Jul 16, 2012. 11:05 AM

Thank you for a great instruct able. I beg to differ with the statement that mosquitoes are not attracted by black light. I have used one of these devices for several years and one of the problems with them is that dead mosquitoes build up so deep on the grid that it shorts out the electronics.I know the primary attractant is CO2 , but at night the light attracts them very well.

t.rohner says: Jul 15, 2012. 11:54 PM

Nice idea

But you should add balancing resistors to the capacitor bank, otherwise you'll blow the caps eventually. (Especially true with elcos)
Interesting site about elcos.
http://www.coilgun.info/theorycapacitors/AEappGUIDE.pdf

You don't need to cannibalize a bugzapper to get your hands on a voltage multiplier.
Cockroft Walton multipliers are pretty easy to build with easily available parts.
See here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltage_multiplier

MrJentis (author) says: Jul 16, 2012. 6:11 AM

Thanks for your advise. I'll add the balancing resistors to the setup for longevity. As for the voltage multiplier, getting the high frequency, high voltage diodes was the real problem for me so I had no choice but to cannibalize them from the nonfunctional bug zapper.