Could a Clapping Device Be the Ultimate Mosquito Killer?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of a clapping device intended to kill mosquitoes. Participants explore various designs, mechanisms, and potential effectiveness of such a device, as well as alternative mosquito control methods. The conversation includes theoretical and practical considerations related to the device's operation and design challenges.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a device with two cushions that clap together to kill mosquitoes, suggesting it could be improved with a sensor to detect mosquitoes before clapping.
  • Another participant questions the effectiveness of random clapping and suggests a visual sensor to detect mosquitoes before the device activates.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the practicality of the clapping device, with one suggesting that adding carbon dioxide could increase its effectiveness.
  • Alternative methods are discussed, including using a container with poison and heat to attract mosquitoes, and the effectiveness of bug zappers that utilize attractants.
  • A participant shares their experience with a bug zapper that has been effective, noting its use of a mosquito attractant cartridge.
  • Concerns are raised about the practicality of solid paddles in the clapping device, referencing the design of flyswatters which have holes to prevent bugs from being blown away.
  • Another participant suggests simplifying the design by having a fixed component for the clapping mechanism.
  • There is mention of using a rotating mechanism to enhance the clapping action, potentially integrating it with a flyswatter.
  • One participant expresses a desire to create an environmentally safe product, considering the use of attractants like 1-octene-3-ol.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express skepticism about the clapping device's practicality and effectiveness, with multiple competing views on its design and operation. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to mosquito control.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight various assumptions regarding the effectiveness of attractants, the mechanics of the clapping device, and the practicality of different designs. There are unresolved questions about the optimal frequency and method of clapping, as well as the safety and efficacy of alternative mosquito control methods.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in innovative pest control solutions, product design, or those exploring alternatives to chemical insecticides may find this discussion relevant.

msquito killer idea would work

  • yes

    Votes: 1 16.7%
  • yes its already there (post details)

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • no

    Votes: 5 83.3%

  • Total voters
    6
  • Poll closed .
tgkprog
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what do u think of the idea : a device that has 2 cushions backed by some plastic that claps every few seconds ... and hopefully kills mosquitoes in time, when they randomly fly in the clap range.

the cushions are so the device does not make noise.

a better model would change its position and a top end would have a sensor to sense moquitoes and clap only when they are near.

i don't have actual design but it would be a neat product
 
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Is the device randomly clapping? Not sure how frequently a mesquito might fly into it, but perhaps a device that might sense visually that a mesquito flew into it before snapping shut? Not sure if that would be an easy thing to sense, though.
 
I rather doubt the practicality, but it could be a fun device to have kicking around at picnics. You might increase your odds by rigging a cylinder to release minute amounts of carbon dioxide between the paddles.
 
Lol, youd be better of getting a material they can peirce through wrap it over the top of a container filled with poison, then heat the wrapped material to a specific degree that they are mostly attracted to and set it out, theyd all zoom to it thinking it was of animal sort and try to get blood... dead. Or you could buy a zapper :P
 
Great idea, clapping robots with image processing are sure to replace insecticides in the next decade or so :approve:
Do they chase mosquitoes by flying around the room as well? We could have a pack of robotic drones hunting in teams for effective clapping results.
 
Qaiphyx said:
...Or you could buy a zapper...

I have a bug zapper that seems to be quite effective, it has a spot for a cartridge on the bottom of it that takes some sort of nondescript "mosquito attractant." Whatever is in that attractant, it seems to work because I have seen the zapper kill skeeters by the hundreds (maybe even thousands?) in a given night.

I can't imagine a "clapper" that slams shut would be particurally effective unless somehow paired with some sort of attractor like has been mentioned; I do imagine I would find it somewhat less entertaining than a zapper though :smile:
 
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can u tell me what brand of zapper u use? and do u know iof they are effective against mosquitoes? i live in India - we have a few sprays here - not very good and stink up the place. we do have these electric liquid things that slow burn but they to are less effective after a few days and there are reports that they are not 100% safe for humans ...
 
Thank u for all ur responses
 
randomly clap - i thought that will have to be experimented with - random/ cycles / with a mosquito attracting odour ... if its safe
 
  • #10
I don't think the clapper is too practical.

My experience with a mosquito/fly killer in Taiwan is a container with a brightly lit luminescent lamp in the middle, surrounded by a metal mesh of high voltage electricity (which is then surrounded by an interlocking grid for safety measures.)
You place the container in a room, turn off all the lights, and the insects would be attracted towards the bright light. They are small enough to pass through the safety grid, but are electrified to dust just as they approach the lamp by the electrified wires around it. That's pretty much it. Every household pretty much has one.

Or, if you want to get more high-tech, perhaps you can, in addition to the central vertical lamp, install a pheromone/hormone attractant targeted to a specific type of pest, so it'll also work in daylight?
 
  • #11
One thing to keep in mind is that solid paddles might not work at all. The reason that flyswatters have holes in them is to prevent the compression wave from blowing the bug out of the way before it gets hit.
 
  • #12
brightly lit luminescent lamp in the middle, surrounded by a metal mesh of high voltage electricity

does not work for mosquitoes. future gens get the idea.

flyswatters have holes in them

yeah this is a good point, thank you. now to look for someone to build a prototype!
 
  • #13
tgkprog said:
now to look for someone to build a prototype!

Uh, uh, dude; you thought it up, you build it.
To save unnecessary parts and complexity, you might as well just have one fixed component that the other claps against. There's no reason to have both moving.
 
  • #14
hmm yes that's an idea - or 2 - only 1 moving and do it my self great

Maybe can start with a fly swartter attached to paddle, so easy to replace if it breaks but it will have to be fast. i wonder if it was attached to a rigged juice mixer motor and allowed to rotate - at one point there by a stationary paddle that it hits and then bends and completes a circle - easier than making a motor that has to move in opposite directions
 
  • #15
Mech_Engineer said:
I have a bug zapper that seems to be quite effective, it has a spot for a cartridge on the bottom of it that takes some sort of nondescript "mosquito attractant." Whatever is in that attractant, it seems to work because I have seen the zapper kill skeeters by the hundreds (maybe even thousands?) in a given night.

FYI. 1-octene-3-ol is the most likely attractant.
 
  • #16
ty about 1-octene-3-ol
i wanted to make a safe for environment product instead of some spray but it might need this to attact them

fyi I'm looking for someone to build this ... am not good with building stuff. hopefully will find someone have told a hardware guy who repairs my comps about it and he said he will get back to me
 

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