The right use of light can make a lot of difference in a large number of applications, whether it is for taking a photo or decorating a home. But do you know that the right light can also control pests effectively? It has been discovered by the researcher’s team of Tohoku University that the use of blue LED light for pest control can be affordable, effective and safe at certain frequencies. Various researchers have tested the effects of blue LED light on different species of insects at different wavelengths and found it effective at particular frequencies.
The Uniqueness of the Concept
The uniqueness of this study was based on the fact that the biological effects of the lights you see on the insects are more effective in comparison to the ultraviolet light with shortwave. One can easily recognize the new uses of visible lights by understanding the effect of the spectrum of certain lights as they can replace traditionally uses chemical-based pesticides, etc. They selected certain species of insects with certain qualities for their research including a flour beetle, a fruit fly and a kind of mosquito, on which pesticides are used to control. They selected these insects to study the effects of the radiation of blue LED light on different insects. It had shortened the lifespan of the fruit fly and made it easier to study the effect of the radiation of the blue light on other insects.
Effect of Blue Light on Fruit Flies
The result of their research has shown that the wavelengths of visible light can be toxic for certain species of insects. It can also be said that the reaction of each species was different from the visible light of different wavelengths. For instance, when two deadly doses of light of 440 nm and 467 nm were used in fruit flies, over 70 and 90 percent pupae died respectively with each wavelength.
Effect of Blue Light on Mosquitoes
The researchers have noticed that when mosquitoes were exposed to a deadly wavelength of 417 nm of radiation of blue light, then their tolerance was higher than fruit flies. They also discovered that most of the hatchlings from their irradiated eggs that survived from the blast of blue light succumbed soon after hatching.
Effect of Blue Light on Flour Beetles
Similarly, flour beetles could not survive from the radiation of blue light with wavelengths from 404 to 467. In this way, it has been confirmed from this research that various types of insects can be killed with the help of radiation of blue light at different wavelengths.
Conclusion
The researchers have submitted in their report that if the water sources containing eggs, larvae, and pupae of mosquitoes are exposed to the radiation of blue light, then the spreading of various diseases caused by mosquitoes can be prevented to a considerable level. The radiation of blue light can also be used to control the infestation of agricultural pests in sanitation and food storage. So, using units of blue LED light for pest control as their wavelength, tone, and color can be adjusted more easily as compared to other visible lights. It is advised that if you do have a large infestation in your home that you consult a professional pest control specialist to see what your other options may be.